VICIA CUSPIDATA

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Ervum cuspidatum.

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

philosopher Pliny for vetch.

Cuspidata (L) Abruptly narrowed into a short rigid point.

General description:- Pubescent annual.

Stems:-

1) Up to 20 cm.

Leaves:-

1) Leaflets, 2-6 pairs, 4-14(-20) x 0·5-4 mm, obovate-elliptical to linear, those of the

upper leaves, acuminate, long-mucronate, tendrils simple.

2) Stipules, entire, not maculated.

Flowers:-

1) Solitary.

2) Calyx-teeth, equal, about as long as tube.

3) Corolla, 10-14 mm, pale pink.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 30-40 x 4-5 mm, with a long straight beak.

Key features:-

1) Legume. 30-40 x 4-5 mm, with a long straight beak.

2) Leaflets, of the upper leaves long-mucronate.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Dry open shrubby vegetation, dry grassland, fallow terraced fields, open

coniferous woodland. 0-700(-1200) m.

Distribution:- An E Mediterranean element, occurring from Greece through Anatolia

to Palestine and NW Iran. Rare on Crete, known from only a few scattered

locations.

Flowering time:- Late Mar to early June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton