ExplorePlants

purple crownvetch

Securigera varia

Purple crownvetch is a beautiful plant with lovely purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It grows low to the ground and is often found in fields and along roadsides.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The purple crownvetch has clusters of small, delicate pinkish-purple flowers that resemble tiny crowns. Its long, slender stems vine across the ground, covered with compound leaves made up of many small, oval leaflets, creating dense green mats.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusCoronilla
purple crownvetch
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgespring_blooming trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
purple crownvetch

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Crownvetch can grow so fast and thick, it can cover and shade out other plants nearby!

Each little flower looks just like a tiny pea, but it grows in a bundle, not a pod!

Its strong roots can grow down several feet, making it super tough to remove!

The unique flower clusters are shaped like a small 'crown,' giving the plant its royal name.

Special abilities

Ability

Soil Binder

Purple crownvetch has deep, spreading roots that help it hold soil firmly, preventing erosion on slopes and disturbed ground.

Ability

Nitrogen Boost

Purple crownvetch can take nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, making it richer for itself and other plants.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
150-400 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

symbiotic with

Rhizobium bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

Lives in roots, converting atmospheric nitrogen into nutrients.

eaten by

white-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

White-tailed deer may browse foliage, especially when other food is scarce.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is purple crownvetch?

30-90 cm

How wide does purple crownvetch spread?

150-400 cm

How big are the flowers on purple crownvetch?

0.5-1 cm

When does purple crownvetch bloom?

Late spring to early fall

Is purple crownvetch edible?

No

Is purple crownvetch toxic?

Moderate

What is purple crownvetch's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is purple crownvetch pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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