Common Vetch

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

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