Common vetch (Vicia sativa, Sp. Pl.: 736 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 736 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, N. Africa to Kenya, Temp. Eurasia to Arabian Pen.

Description

Common vetch, scientifically known as Vicia sativa, is a versatile and widely recognized plant. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, common vetch has cemented its place in the plant kingdom as a valuable member of the Fabaceae family.

Observations reveal that common vetch is native to a range of locations stretching from Macaronesia and North Africa to Kenya, and from temperate Eurasia to the Arabian Peninsula. This broad geographic distribution underscores its adaptability to different environments, thriving in diverse climatic zones ranging from temperate to semi-arid regions.

As a species within the Fabaceae family, common vetch shares several notable characteristics with its relatives. It is known for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, which enhance soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This property makes it an excellent choice for crop rotation and as a green manure, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Common vetch is often utilized in agriculture as forage for livestock, owing to its high protein content and palatability. Its seeds and foliage are a valuable food source for animals, ensuring that it remains an essential component of animal husbandry in many regions.

In addition to its agricultural importance, common vetch also plays a role in supporting biodiversity. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees, which are crucial for ecosystem health. Moreover, it provides cover and food for various wildlife species, enhancing the ecological value of the areas where it is cultivated or grows naturally.

Overall, Vicia sativa, or common vetch, exemplifies the harmony between plant utility and ecological benefit. Its widespread use and natural occurrence across diverse regions attest to its enduring significance in both agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: common vetch, garden vetch, narrowleaf vetch, spring vetch, tare, vetch, pebble-vetch
Dan: foder-vikke
Deu: futter-wicke, gewöhnliche futter-wicke, saat-wicke
Lit: sėjamasis vikis
Nob: bondevikke
Nno: bondevikke
Por: ervilhaca, ervilhaca-comum
Swe: fodervicker, rehuvirna, åkervicker
Fin: rehuvirna
Nor: skaalme-græs, vilde graa-erter
Nld: smalle wikke en vergeten wikke, smalle wikke + voederwikke, smalle, vergeten en voederwikke
Est: suvivikk hiirehernes
Lav: sējas vīķis
Fra: vesce cultivée, vesce cultivée s.l., vesce cultivee
Ces: vika siata, vikev setá
Cym: ffacbys, ffacbysen, ffugbys cyffredin, ffugbysen faethol, pupys
Kor: salgalkwi
Jpn: yahazu-endo
En: Common vetch, Lints, Tare, Garden vetch, Spring Vetch, Vetch, Narrowleaf vetch, Pebble-vetch, Summer Vetch
Ar: بخر (بَخْر)، بخرا (بَخْرا), دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان), عديس (عِديس)، بسلة إبليس, فول رومى، دحريج (دُحْريج)
Cs: Vika siata, Vikev setá
Da: Foder-vikke
Nl: Smalle wikke en vergeten wikke, Smalle wikke + Voederwikke, Smalle, Vergeten en Voederwikke, Voederwikke
Et: Suvivikk hiirehernes
Fi: Rehuvirna
Fr: Vesce cultivée, Vesce cultivée s.l., Vesce cultivee, Vesce commune, Poisette
De: Futter-Wicke, Gewöhnliche Futter-Wicke, Saat-Wicke, Echte Futterwicke
He: בקיה תרבותית
It: Veccia coltivata, Veccia comune, Veccia dolce
Ja: Yahazu-endō, Yahazu-endo
Ko: Salgalkwi
Lv: Sējas vīķis
Lt: Sėjamasis vikis
No: Skaalme-græs, Vilde graa-erter
Nb: Bondevikke
Nn: Bondevikke
Pt: Ervilhaca, Ervilhaca-comum
Sk: Vika siata
Es: Alverja, Veza común
Sv: Fodervicker, Rehuvirna, Åkervicker
Cy: Ffacbys, Ffacbysen, Ffugbys Cyffredin, Ffugbysen Faethol, Pupys

Synonyms

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Svalbard (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 30, 2020 by Mélanie Weber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 22, 2005 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2018 by Dorotheos Dorotheou (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 13, 2019 by harriet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2020 by léa doyen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2018 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 17, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2020 by Llandrich anna (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.

Fruit

Taken May 17, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 6, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2019 by Nathan Rosenfeld (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:525117-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2975014)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia sativa L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 7