Smooth yellow vetch (Vicia lutea, Sp. pl. 2:736. 1753)

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:736. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. Europe to Medit. and Iran

Description

Smooth yellow vetch (Vicia lutea) is a species belonging to the Fabaceae family, a large and diverse family of flowering plants commonly known as legumes or peas. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his comprehensive botanical work, “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753. Originating from various regions within Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and extending as far as Iran, the smooth yellow vetch is notable for its resilience and adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Characterized by its slender, climbing stems, Vicia lutea typically thrives in open fields and along the margins of cultivated lands, where it can wind its way around other plants for support. The leaves are pinnate, usually composed of multiple pairs of small, ovate leaflets, and feature tendrils at the tips that assist in their climbing habit.

One of the most distinctive features of the smooth yellow vetch is its bright, lemon-yellow flowers. These blossoms, which generally appear in late spring to early summer, are hermaphroditic, containing both male (stamens) and female (pistils) reproductive organs. This enables the plant to perform self-pollination as well as cross-pollination with the help of insect visitors, enhancing its genetic diversity and adaptability.

Following the flowering phase, the plant produces elongated pods containing numerous seeds that can disseminate to new areas, ensuring the propagation of the species. These seeds, like many in the Fabaceae family, are capable of enduring challenging environmental conditions, contributing to the plant’s wide distribution range from Eastern Central Europe to the Mediterranean region and into the expanses of Iran.

The smooth yellow vetch is not only valued for its vibrant appearance but also plays an important role in agricultural systems. As a legume, it helps improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, a process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form that can be readily used by plants. This ecological function makes it an excellent candidate for cover cropping and green manure, enriching the soil and supporting sustainable farming practices.

Overall, Vicia lutea stands out as a resilient and beneficial species, adaptable across a wide range of climates and environments. Its vivid flowers, ecological role, and ability to enhance soil health underscore its significance both in natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes.

Common Names

Deu: gelb-wicke, gelbe wicke
Nld: gele wikke
Dan: gul vikke
Eng: smooth yellow vetch, yellow vetch, yellow-vetch
Lav: dzeltenais vīķis
Cat: galavars
Swe: gulvicker, keltavirna
Nob: gulvikke
Nno: gulvikke
Fin: keltavirna
Est: kollane hiirehernes
Fra: vesce jaune
Ces: vika žltá, vikev žlutá
Cym: eurbys, eurlys, ffacbysen felen, ffugbysen felen arw-godog
En: Smooth yellow vetch, Yellow vetch, Yellow-vetch, Smooth Yellow-vetch
Ar: بخر (بَخْر)، بخرا (بَخْرا), دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان)
Ca: Galavars, Galavars groc
Cs: Vika žltá, Vikev žlutá
Da: Gul vikke
Nl: Gele wikke
Et: Kollane hiirehernes
Fi: Keltavirna
Fr: Vesce jaune
De: Gelb-Wicke, Gelbe Wicke
He: בקיה צהובה
It: Cicerchia pelosa, Veccia gialla
Lv: Dzeltenais vīķis
Nb: Gulvikke
Nn: Gulvikke
Sk: Vika žltá
Es: Alverja amarilla
Sv: Gulvicker, Keltavirna
Cy: Eurbys, Eurlys, Ffacbysen Felen, Ffugbysen Felen Arw-Godog

Synonyms

• Hypechusa lutea ((L.) Alef.)
• Vicioides lutea ((L.) Moench)
• Wiggersia lutea ((L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Other

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Sánchez Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2018 by Patrick TARDIVON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2021 by Yolande Conejos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2021 by Mario Cannata (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 24, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 18, 2012 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 17, 2012 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Araceli Pérez (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken May 2, 2022 by ann_harez (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Katarzyna Konecka (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524905-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2974753)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia lutea L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb, Vine

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.9

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 1