Bard vetch (Vicia monantha, Observ. Bot. 3: 39 (1783))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Retz.

Bibliography: Observ. Bot. 3: 39 (1783)

Year: 1783

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Medit. to W. Himalaya and Arabian Pen.

Description

Bard vetch, scientifically referred to as Vicia monantha, is a notable species within the family Fabaceae. This plant was first described and documented by Retz in 1783, as recorded in his work “Observationes Botanicae, Volume 3.”

Vicia monantha flourishes across a diverse geographical range, spanning from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, extending to the western regions of the Himalayas and the Arabian Peninsula. This widespread distribution illustrates the plant’s adaptability to various climatic and environmental conditions, showcasing its resilience and ecological versatility.

The Bard vetch is a leguminous plant, contributing significantly to soil fertility through its nitrogen-fixing abilities. This characteristic is inherent to members of the Fabaceae family, which play a crucial role in sustainable agricultural practices by enhancing soil nutrient content and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

The presence of Bard vetch in such a vast range of habitats underscores its ecological importance. It not only plays a role in supporting local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for various pollinators and insects but also contributes to the rich biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

In summary, Vicia monantha, or Bard vetch, stands out as a vital species within the Fabaceae family, with its historical documentation by Retz and its extensive distribution covering a significant geographical expanse from the Canary Islands to the western Himalayas and the Arabian Peninsula.

Common Names

Eng: barn vetch, bard vetch, spurred vetch, square-stem vetch, hard vetch
Deu: einblütige wicke
Dan: middelhavs-vikke
Fra: vesce à une fleur, vesce éperonnée, vesce uniflore
Spa: algarroba
Swe: vimpelvicker
En: Bard vetch, Spurred vetch, Square-stem vetch, Barn vetch, Hard Vetch, Square-stemmed Vetch
Ar: دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان), قرينه غزال (قِرينة غَزال)
Da: Middelhavs-vikke
Fr: Vesce uniflore, Vesce à une fleur, Vesce éperonnée
De: Einblütige Wicke
He: בקיה מדורבנת
It: Veccia uniflora
Es: Algarroba
Sv: Vimpelvicker

Synonyms

• Lathyrus monanthos ((Retz.) Willd.)
• Coppoleria monantha ((Retz.) Tod.)
• Vicia villosa subsp. monantha ((Retz.) O.Bolòs & Vigo)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• France (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Jurgen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Jurgen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by Ana Lucas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by S100 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Zioivan Beirut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Aaron Frost (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Searancher Searnchr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Jurgen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by S100 (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Clare Storey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Aaron Frost (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2008 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken May 31, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Miguel Moreno (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Miguel Moreno (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by wuffi wuffi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2975416)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524947-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia monantha Retz.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6