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(Vicia nigricans)
Black Vetch (Vicia nigricans)
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Walter Siegmund (talk)
CC BY-SA 3.0
Image By:
Walter Siegmund (talk)
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Walter Siegmund (talk) | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Wsiegmund | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Vicia_nigricans_4997.JPG |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Vicia nigricans, commonly known as Black Vetch, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands, grasslands, and scrub areas in the Western United States to South America. It can grow to a height of 2-6 feet and a width of 1-2 feet. The plant features tendrils that allow it to climb and support itself on other vegetation. Black Vetch produces small, pea-like flowers that are most commonly purple to violet, blooming in the spring and summer months. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when in large numbers.
Black Vetch is valued for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can improve soil fertility, making it useful for restoration projects and as a cover crop in agricultural settings. It is also used in wildflower mixes for naturalized areas. This species prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Black Vetch can be susceptible to fungal diseases, especially in humid conditions. It is also important to note that, when grown outside its native range, it has the potential to become invasive, so gardeners should monitor its spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Black Vetch is valued for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can improve soil fertility, making it useful for restoration projects and as a cover crop in agricultural settings. It is also used in wildflower mixes for naturalized areas. This species prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Black Vetch can be susceptible to fungal diseases, especially in humid conditions. It is also important to note that, when grown outside its native range, it has the potential to become invasive, so gardeners should monitor its spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-6 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow, White, Orange, Red, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
native to open woodlands, grasslands, and scrub areas in the Western United States to South America
Other Names
Common Names: Giant Vetch
Scientific Names: , Vicia nigricans, Ervum nigricans, Vicia nigricans subsp. nigricans,
GBIF Accepted Name: Vicia nigricans Hook. & Arn.