American vetch
ExplorePlants
American vetch
Vicia americana
American vetch is a climbing plant with pretty purple flowers. It grows in fields and along roadsides, making the world a little brighter with its colorful blooms.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The American vetch is a delicate climbing vine with feathery compound leaves that end in coiling tendrils. Its vibrant purple to pinkish-purple, pea-like flowers grow in clusters, making it stand out from other green groundcover plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusVicia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
American vetch belongs to the pea family, just like your favorite peas and beans!
Even tiny insects like hoverflies visit its flowers to sip sweet nectar!
Its tiny pea-like seeds can be eaten, tasting a bit like lentils!
Some Indigenous peoples traditionally used parts of this plant for food or medicine!
Special abilities
Ability
Tendril Navigator
American vetch has spring-like tendrils that help it grip onto other plants, allowing it to climb towards sunlight and grow taller.
Ability
Soil Supercharger
American vetch can pull nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, making the ground healthier for itself and other plants.
Ability
Seed Sprinter
This plant's seed pods burst open when dry, flinging seeds a short distance to spread its offspring and find new homes.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-120 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to mid-summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its leaves and stems as a food source.
pollinates
Common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Bumblebees visit its flowers, collecting nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Song sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Song sparrows and other birds eat the nutritious seeds.
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Tiny bacteria in its roots help it 'fix' nitrogen for growth.
Traits
Climbing/Vine
Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is American vetch?
30-120 cm
How big are the flowers on American vetch?
1-2 cm
When does American vetch bloom?
Late spring to mid-summer
Is American vetch edible?
Yes
Is American vetch toxic?
None
What is American vetch's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is American vetch pollinated?
Insect
Where is American vetch usually found?
Grasslands
Snap Map
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