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Vicia americana
  • American Vetch

a perennial member of the Vicia genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Vicia americana has 0 edible uses listed
Vicia americana has 0 material uses listed
Vicia americana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - cooked[1][2][3]. The tender seeds are eaten by the N. American Indians[4]. Both the mature seeds and the immature seedpods can be used[5]. The pod is about 3cm long and contains 4 - 7 seeds[6].

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Material uses

The stout roots have been used for tying[5].

Unknown part

String

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves have been rubbed in the hands and applied to spider bites[5]. An infusion of the crushed leaves have been used as a bath for treating soreness[5].

An infusion of the plant has been used as an eyewash[5].

An infusion of the leaves has been used by women as a love medicine[5].

Unknown part

Ophthalmic
Salve
Stings

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in spring or autumn.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Vicia americana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

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[7]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to supports by means of tendrils[4].

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[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Vicia americana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Vicia americana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Vicia americana
Genus
Vicia
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[5]
Material uses & Functions
[5]
Botanic
[8][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (1968-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Vicia americana 5828.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Vicia_americana&oldid=81665"
    Facts about "Vicia americana"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusVicia +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has binomial nameVicia americana +
    Has common nameAmerican Vetch +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +, Seed + and Seedpod +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageVicia americana 5828.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useString +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useOphthalmic +, Salve + and Stings +
    Has primary imageVicia americana 5828.JPG +
    Has search namevicia americana + and american vetch +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameVicia americana +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Vicia americana +, Vicia americana +, Vicia americana +, Vicia americana +, Vicia americana +, Vicia americana + and Vicia americana +