Hedge vetch (Vicia sepium, Sp. Pl.: 737 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 737 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to China and W. Himalaya, Morocco

Description

Hedge vetch, known scientifically as Vicia sepium, is a versatile and widespread member of the Fabaceae family. This plant has a diverse range, being native to geographic regions that span from Europe across to China, and reaching as far as the western Himalayas and Morocco. The species was formally described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”

Vicia sepium is typically found in hedgerows, woodland margins, and grassy banks, where it thrives in a variety of soil types. This climbing perennial plant showcases intricate, compound leaves that bear 6-10 pairs of leaflets, ending in tendrils that aid its ascent up supporting vegetation and structures. During its blooming season, hedge vetch produces clusters of violet to blue flowers, which attract bees and other pollinators, playing an important role in the ecosystem.

The plant’s ability to fix nitrogen in the soil through symbiosis with root-nodulating bacteria makes it an asset in agricultural and horticultural practices. This characteristic enhances soil fertility and supports diverse plant communities. Beyond its ecological benefits, Vicia sepium also offers forage for livestock and has been used traditionally for this purpose.

Recognizing its value and ecological roles, hedge vetch is a plant that not only adorns the landscape with its delicate flowers but also contributes to environmental health and agricultural productivity.

Common Names

Eng: bush vetch, hedge vetch
Dan: gærde-vikke
Deu: zaun-wicke, zaunwicke
Swe: aitovirna, häckvicker, tran-erter, hackvivker
Fin: aitovirna
Nno: gjerdevikke
Nob: gjerdevikke
Nld: heggenwikke
Nor: tranvikker
Fra: vesce des haies
Cat: vicia de bardissa
Sme: áidesáhpal, fierbmerássi
Por: ervilhaca-de-cerca
Cym: ffacbysen y cloddiau, ffucbysen y cloddiau, ffugbys y clawdd, ffugbysen y cloddiau, pys y berth
En: Hedge vetch, Bush vetch
Ar: بيقية السياج
Be: Гарошак плотавы
Bg: Горска глушина
Ca: Veça borda, Vicia de bardissa, Vicía de bardissa
Zh: 野豌豆
Kw: Gwegbys an ke
Cs: Vikev plotní
Da: Gærde-Vikke
Nl: Heggenwikke, Hegge Wikke, Heggewikke, Vitsen
Et: Aed-hiirehernes
Fi: Aitovirna
Fr: Vesce des haies, Vesce sauvage
De: Zaun-Wicke, Zaunwicke, Dorn-Wicke
Hu: Gyepűbükköny
Is: Giljaflækja
Ga: Peasair fhiáin
It: Veccia silvana, Veccia delle siepi
Se: Áidesáhpal, Fierbmerássi
No: Gjerdevikke, Tranvikker
Nb: Gjerdevikke
Nn: Gjerdevikke
Pl: Wyka płotowa
Pt: Ervilhaca-dos-lameiros, Ervilhaca-de-cerca
Pt-br: Ervilhaca-de-cerca
Ru: Горошек заборный
Sk: Vika plotná
Es: Obplotna grašica, Alverja, Alverjana, Arveja silvestre, Arveja, Mata trepadera, Vera, Veza, Vicia de los vallados, Alverja de los setos
Sv: Häckvicker, Aitovirna, Tran-erter, Hackvivker
Tr: Çalı fiği
Uk: Горошок плотовий
Cy: Ffacbysen y cloddiau, Ffucbysen y Cloddiau, Ffugbys y Clawdd, Ffugbysen y Cloddiau, Pys y Berth

Synonyms

• Vicia sepium var. albiflora (Gaudin)
• Vicia sepium var. nana (Gaudin)
• Vicia sepium var. capsella (Ser.)
• Vicia sepium var. vulgaris (Gaudin)
• Vicia sepium var. subrotunda (Ser.)
• Vicia sepium var. ochroleuca (DC.)
• Atossa sepium var. angustifolia (Alef.)
• Atossa sepium var. ochroleuca ((DC.) Alef.)
• Atossa sepium var. subrotunda ((Ser.) Alef.)
• Vicia pseudosepium (Nyman)
• Vicia sepium var. eriocalyx (Čelak.)
• Vicia rotundifolia (Gilib.)
• Vicia sepium var. parvifolia (Carion)
• Vicia sepium var. longisepala (Ekutim.)
• Vicia sepium var. alba (Gray)
• Vicia sepium subsp. eriocalyx ((Čelak.) Holub)
• Vicioides sepium ((L.) Moench)
• Vicia oxyphylla (Schur)
• Wiggersia sepium ((L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
• Faba sepium ((L.) Bernh.)
• Vicia sepium var. angustifolia (Schur)
• Vicia sepium var. montana (W.D.J.Koch)
• Vicia pratensis (Wallr.)
• Vicia sepium var. anomala (Boenn.)
• Vicia sepium var. ovata (Schur)
• Vicia montana (Froel. ex W.D.J.Koch)
• Vicia eriocalyx ((Čelak.) Landolt)
• Vicia sepium var. microphylla (Schur)
• Vicia drymeja (Schur)
• Vicia sepium var. pubescens (Behm)
• Vicia separia (Dulac)
• Atossa sepium ((L.) Alef.)
• Vicia sepium var. hartii (Akeroyd)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Tuva (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Yakutskiya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 18, 2019 by Michaela Dreyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Kelly Doine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2020 by Bumblebee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by dominique Gaillard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 19, 2021 by Błażej Nowak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Kelly Doine (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2020 by Aéroguss (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 29, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2021 by Błażej Nowak (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Frank Vincentz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by bas yves (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/2974786)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:525130-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia sepium L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6