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Common Vetch
ExplorePlants
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
Common Vetch is a climbing plant with pretty purple flowers. It grows in fields and gardens, making the world a little brighter and helping the soil stay healthy.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Vetch has vibrant purple, sometimes pink or white, pea-like flowers, often growing in pairs from leaf axils. Its slender, sprawling stems use tiny coiling tendrils to climb, making it look different from many upright wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusVicia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even some pigeons and other birds love to eat the tasty, protein-rich seeds of the Common Vetch.
Farmers plant Common Vetch to feed their animals, like cows and sheep, because it's so nutritious!
People have grown Common Vetch for thousands of years, even as far back as ancient Egypt!
This plant is a 'pioneer' that can grow in poor soil, helping other plants thrive there too!
Special abilities
Ability
Grab-and-Go
Common Vetch can climb using its curly tendrils to latch onto other plants for sunlight and support.
Ability
Pop-and-Drop
Common Vetch's ripe seed pods can explosively twist open, flinging seeds a short distance away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Spring to Early Autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
symbiotic with
Legume Root Nodule Bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
fixes atmospheric nitrogen for the plant
eaten by
Domestic Sheep
Ovis aries
cultivated as nutritious fodder
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
visits flowers for nectar
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.
Agricultural
This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
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.
Symbiotic
Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or eating any plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Vetch?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Common Vetch?
1-2.5 cm
When does Common Vetch bloom?
Late Spring to Early Autumn
Is Common Vetch edible?
Yes
Is Common Vetch toxic?
None
What is Common Vetch's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Common Vetch pollinated?
Insect
Where is Common Vetch usually found?
Grasslands
Snap Map
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