Vicia tenuifolia
Fine-Leaved Vetch
a perennial member of the Vicia genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Vicia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A vegetable[2]. No more details are given, it is likely to be either the young shoots or the seeds that are used[K].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- Europe to Asia. Locally naturalized in Britain[1].
- Habitat
- A casual on disturbed ground and locally naturalized in Britain[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in spring or autumn.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3].
References
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5