Kashubian vetch (Vicia cassubica, Sp. Pl.: 735 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 735 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran

Description

Kashubian vetch, scientifically known as Vicia cassubica, is a significant member of the Fabaceae family. The plant finds its origins in the work of the renowned taxonomist Carl Linnaeus, with its first formal description appearing in the seminal publication “Species Plantarum” in 1753.

The distribution of Kashubian vetch spans a diverse geographic range, from various regions of Europe extending eastward to Iran. This broad habitat range indicates a versatile species capable of thriving in various environmental conditions.

As a member of the Fabaceae family, Vicia cassubica shares many characteristics typical of the legume family, such as the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This process enriches the nutrient content of the soil, making the plant a valuable component of the ecosystems it inhabits. Legumes like Kashubian vetch play crucial roles in agroecological systems due to their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

The plant’s morphology typically includes delicate, pinnately compound leaves and clusters of small flowers which contribute to its aesthetic appeal. These flowers are often of interest in horticultural and ecological studies due to their interactions with pollinators.

Due to its wide geographical distribution and ecological benefits, the Kashubian vetch is a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike. Their studies focus not only on the plant’s taxonomy and evolution but also on its role in natural and cultivated environments.

Common Names

Eng: danzig vetch, kashubian vetch
Deu: kassuben-wicke
Dan: kassubisk vikke
Swe: backvicker, pommerinvirna
Fin: pommerinvirna
Nor: skarp vicker
Nno: sørlandsvikke
Nob: sørlandsvikke
En: Kashubian vetch, Danzig vetch
Ar: بيقية كاشوبية
Be: Гарошак кашубскі
Cs: Vikev kašubská
Da: Kassubisk Vikke
Et: Püstine hiirehernes
Fi: Pommerinvirna
Fr: Vesce de Cachoubie, Vesce de Poméranie, Vesce des Cassubes, Vesce cassubique, Vesce de Cassubie
De: Kaschuben-Wicke, Kassuben-Wicke
It: Veccia dei Kassubi, Veccia dei Cassubi
No: Sørlandsvikke, Skarp vicker
Nb: Sørlandsvikke
Nn: Sørlandsvikke
Pl: Wyka kaszubska
Ru: Горошек кашубский
Sk: Vika kašubská
Sv: Backvicker, Pommerinvirna

Synonyms

• Vicia militans (Crantz)
• Ervilia cassubica ((L.) Schur)
• Cracca cassubica ((L.) Opiz)
• Ervum cassubicum ((L.) Peterm.)
• Vicia abbreviata (C.A.Mey.)
• Vicia cracca var. multiflora ((Pollich) Gaudin)
• Vicia adriatica ((Freyn) Fritsch)
• Ervilia orobos (Schur)
• Vicilla cassubica ((L.) Schur)
• Vicia rigida (Herbich)
• Vicia cassubica var. adriatica (Freyn)
• Vicia cassubica f. acirrha (Neuman)
• Vicia frutescens (Gilib.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Rodríguez Sílvia (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Maria Taria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Wolfram Pethe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by Christian Varry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Nobody Here (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2975380)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia cassubica L.)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524633-1)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 3