Narrowleaf Vetch

Vicia sativa var. nigra L.

Legume Family (Fabaceae)

▲ seedling (under grass leaves)

▲▼ young plants showing narrow leaflets

▲▼flowering stems

▲▼ mature, flowering plants

Narrowleaf Vetch:

·         Summer annual weed with dark green, pinnately compound leaves with narrow, pointed leaflets; similar common vetch has leaflets that are wider

·         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