Common Vetch

(Vicia sativa)

Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Vicia sativa, commonly known as Common Vetch or Garden Vetch, is an annual vine or herbaceous plant native to a wide range of habitats including meadows, fields, open woodlands, and grasslands across Europe, temperate Asia and Africa. It has been naturalized in many parts of the world. This species typically sprawls across the ground with hollow, four-sided, hairless to sparsely hairy stems that can reach up to two meters in length. The pea-like flowers, borne in the leaf axils, are usually solitary or in pairs, with a corolla 1–3 centimeters long, displaying bright pink-purple hues, though occasionally flowers may be whitish or yellow. The blooming period occurs in late spring to early summer, and the flowers are predominantly pollinated by bumblebees, contributing to their ecological value.

Common Vetch is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which enriches the soil, making it a popular choice for green manure and cover cropping in sustainable agriculture. It is also used as livestock fodder and in crop rotation practices. Gardeners appreciate its ease of growth and the splash of color it adds to the landscape. For optimal growth, it requires full sun exposure, ample water, and thrives in a variety of soil types, preferably with medium to slow drainage. While it is not known for major diseases, it can become weedy and potentially invasive, so it is important to manage its spread carefully.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Vine, Herb
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 0.333-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

native to a wide range of habitats including meadows, fields, open woodlands, and grasslands across Europe, temperate Asia and Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Common Vetch, Spring Vetch, Vetch, Tare, Narrowleaf Vetch, Ekin Lerke, Saat-Wicke, Gewöhnliche Futter-Wicke, Acker-Wicke, Sommer-Wicke

Scientific Names: , Vicia sativa, Vicia sativa subsp. obovata, Vicia alba, Vicia cuneata, Vicia angustifolia subsp. sativa, Vicia nemoralis, Vicia sativa subsp. notata, Vicia maculata, Vicia communis f. sativa

GBIF Accepted Name: Vicia sativa L.