VICIA SATIVA subsp. CORDATA

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

Common Names:- Common vetch

Homotypic Synonyms:- Vicia cordata.

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

philosopher Pliny for vetch.

Sativa (L) Planted, cultivated, not wild.

Cordata (L) Heart-shaped, cordate.

General description:- Sparsely pubescent annual.

Stems:-

1) up to 80 cm.

Leaves:-

1) Leaflets, oblong or obovate-cuneate, truncate-marginate, pubescent.

Flowers:-

1) 1-2(-4) together.

2) Calyx-teeth, longer than the tube.

3) Corolla, 18-22 mm;

a) standard reddish-purple.

b) wings dark red.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 30-50 x 4·5-6 mm, not contracted between the seeds, dark brown or

almost black, usually glabrous.

1) Seeds, 3-4·5 mm.

Key features:-

1) Corolla, 18-30 mm.

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

3) Legume, 4·5-6 mm wide, yellow-brown to dark brown, rarely almost black.

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:- Common throughout the Mediterranean. Fairly common and

widespread on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mainly Mar-June.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis and Steve Lenton