ExplorePlants

spring vetch

Lathyrus vernus

Spring vetch is a lovely flower that blooms in early spring. It has beautiful purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making gardens bright and cheerful.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The spring vetch is a low-growing perennial with striking clusters of pea-like flowers. Its blossoms start purplish-red, often fading to a distinct blue as they age. Unlike many vetch species, its leaves are broad leaflets, not tendrils.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLathyrus
spring vetch
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
spring vetch

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its seeds are hidden in small pods that look like miniature pea pods!

Many cultures once used "vetches" as animal feed long ago.

Spring vetch often grows under trees, soaking up sunshine before the leaves grow too big.

This plant is a cousin to the peas we eat, but don't try to snack on its seeds!

Special abilities

Ability

Nitrogen Fixer

Spring vetch has special root nodules that host bacteria, allowing it to pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil.

Ability

Color Shifter

Its vibrant flowers can subtly change color from purple-red to bluish over time, helping older flowers signal they've been pollinated.

Ability

Early Bloomer

Spring vetch can emerge and flower very early in spring, giving it a head start on collecting sunlight before trees leaf out.

Measurements & details

Height
20-40 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-1.5 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring (April-June)
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Drinks nectar and collects pollen.

pollinates

Western honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.

symbiotic with

Rhizobium bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

Fixes nitrogen in root nodules.

eaten by

Roe deer

Capreolus capreolus

Browses on its leaves and shoots.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is spring vetch?

20-40 cm

How wide does spring vetch spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on spring vetch?

1-1.5 cm

When does spring vetch bloom?

Early spring (April-June)

Is spring vetch edible?

No

Is spring vetch toxic?

Mild

What is spring vetch's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is spring vetch pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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