VICIA SATIVA subsp. SATIVA

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

Common Names:- Common vetch

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

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

philosopher Pliny for vetch.

Sativa (L) Planted, cultivated, not wild.

General description:- Sparsely pubescent annual.

Stems:

1) Up to 80 cm.

Leaves:-

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

emarginate or truncate.

2) 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, 18-20 mm long;

a) standard, pink to dark reddish-pink, the wings darker.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 35-70 x 6-8 mm, not contracted between the seeds, brown or yellow-

brown, usually hairy, valves smooth.

2) Seeds, 3·5-6·5 mm.

Key features:-

1) Corolla, 18-20.

2) Legume, 6-8 mm wide, not contracted between the seeds, valves smooth.

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:- Perhaps native to the Mediterranean region and SW Asia. Somewhat

limited distribution across Crete.

Flowering time:- Mainly Mar-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton