Narrowleaf Vetch

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