Bithynian vetch (Vicia bithynica, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1166 (1759))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) L.

Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1166 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, W. Europe to Medit. and Caucasus, N. Pakistan to W. Himalaya

Description

The Bithynian vetch, scientifically known as Vicia bithynica, is a member of the Fabaceae family. This intriguing plant was first documented in the 10th edition of “Systema Naturae” in 1759. With a distribution spanning from the Azores across Western Europe to the Mediterranean and extending as far as the Caucasus region and North Pakistan to the Western Himalayas, the Bithynian vetch thrives in a variety of climates and geographical regions.

This leguminous plant is valued not only for its ability to enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation but also for its role in supporting local biodiversity. Like many members of the Fabaceae family, Vicia bithynica has a symbiotic relationship with root-dwelling bacteria, which helps convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, thus improving soil health.

The Bithynian vetch exhibits delicate, often purple or blue flowers, which contribute to its popularity among gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. Beyond its ecological benefits, it serves as a forage plant for livestock and plays a role in traditional agriculture within its native range.

Understanding the Bithynian vetch’s wide distribution and ecological role provides insight into both its adaptability and its importance in various ecosystems. Whether found in the wild or cultivated for agricultural purposes, Vicia bithynica continues to be a significant and beneficial species within the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Eng: bithynian vetch, bythinian vetch
Deu: bithynien-wicke, bithynische wicke
Swe: turkvicker
Ces: vikev maloasijská
Cat: vícia bitínica
Nld: bithynische wikke
Rus: chechevichka vifinskaya, goroshek vifinski
Cym: ffacbysen ruddlas, ffugbysen ruddlas arw-godog
Fra: vesce de bithynie
En: Bithynian vetch, Bythinian Vetch
Ar: بيقية بيثينية
Bg: Битинска глушина
Ca: Vícia bitínica
Cs: Vikev maloasijská
Nl: Bithynische wikke
Fr: Vesce De Bithynie
De: Bithynische Wicke, Bithynien-Wicke
He: בקיה אנטולית
It: Veccia dentellata
Ru: Chechevichka Vifinskaya, Goroshek Vifinski
Es: Veza bitínica
Sv: Turkvicker
Cy: Ffacbysen ruddlas, Ffugbysen Ruddlas Arw-Godog

Synonyms

• Vicia angulosa (Gaterau)
• Lathyrus bithynicus (L.)
• Lathyrus monocarpus (Stoj. & Acht.)
• Arachus vicioides (Medik.)
• Ervum bithynicum ((L.) Stank.)
• Vicia bythynica (Schrank)
• Lathyrus barcinonensis (Pourr. ex Willk. & Lange)
• Vicia minuta (Moench)
• Lathyrus turgidus (Lam.)
• Vicia bithynica var. major (Arcang.)
• Lathyrus tumidus (Willd.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)

Additional Images

Other

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2009 by Genghis Attenborough (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2009 by Genghis Attenborough (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 16, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2009 by Genghis Attenborough (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2009 by Genghis Attenborough (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Raphaël (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Alexandra Fessard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 1, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by Zillah Zillah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Mariate__ (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (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/2975309)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524590-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia bithynica (L.) L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 7