Common Vetch
Vicia sativa L.
Fabaceae (Legume Family)
▲▼ mature plants in field
▲▼ flowers and young fruit pod
Common Vetch:
· Summer annual weed with dark green, pinnately compound leaves with narrow, pointed leaflets; leaflets wider than narrowleaf vetch
· Leaf ends in branched, curling tendril that can clasp onto objects to help in vine climbing
· Leaves and stems are hairless, or with few hairs
· Produces two small purple, pea-like flowers in the axils of leaves
· Seed pods are 1-2 inches long, rounded and nearly black at maturity
· Common in cultivated crops; native to Europe and the Middle East