VICIA SATIVA subsp. MACROCARPA

Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE/Sect. VICIA

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Vicia macrocarpa.

Meaning:- Vicia (L) Binder, to bind, a name used by the Roman naturalist and

philosopher Pliny for vetch.

Sativa (L) Planted, cultivated, not wild.

Macrocarpa (Gr) Large fruited.

General description:- Sparsely pubescent annual

Stems:-

1) Up to 80 cm.

Leaves:-

1) Upper, with a branched tendril.

2) Leaflets, 3-8 pairs, 6-20(-30) x 1-7 mm, oblong-cuneate to obcordate, emarginate

or truncate.

3) Stipules, toothed, usually with a dark spot.

Flowers:-

1)1-2(-4) together.

2) Calyx-teeth, as long as or longer than the tube.

3) Corolla, 18-30 mm.

a) standard, pink to dark reddish-purple.

b) wings, darker.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 8-10(-12) mm wide, reticulate-veined, not contracted between the

seeds, dark brown to black, more or less glabrous.

3) Seeds, 5·5-8 mm.

Key features:-

1) Upper leaves, with a branched tendril.

2) Legume, reticulate-veined, not contracted between the seeds, dark brown to

black, more or less glabrous.

3) Seeds 5·5-8 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Damp meadows, open woodland and in a variety of disturbed habitats. 0-

900 (-1600) m.

Distribution:- Mediterranean area. Rare on Crete currently known from a few

scattered locations, (see map).

Flowering time:- Mainly Mar-June.

Photos by:- Currently none available