Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 736 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Vicia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Iran, NW. Africa
Description
Spring vetch, scientifically known as Vicia lathyroides, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. This delicate annual herb is widely distributed, with its geographical range extending from various parts of Europe to Iran and northwest Africa, illustrating its adaptability to diverse climates and soils.
The plant is characterized by its slender, climbing stems that can grasp onto neighboring vegetation for support. Its leaves are compound, typically bearing a pair of leaflets that taper to fine points. Spring vetch is easily recognizable during its blooming season by its small, yet striking, flowers. These blooms are most often a subtle shade of purple or violet, sometimes tinged with touches of blue, which stand out against the green foliage and attract a variety of pollinators.
One of the noteworthy features of Vicia lathyroides is its ecological role. Like other legumes, this species is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, thanks to its symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria. This characteristic not only benefits the vetch itself but also helps enrich the soil, making it more fertile for other plants. This trait is particularly beneficial in agricultural settings and natural ecosystems where soil fertility is crucial.
Habitat-wise, spring vetch is often found in open fields, grassy meadows, and along roadsides, thriving in well-drained soils. It is somewhat drought-tolerant, which is an advantageous trait given the varied and sometimes arid regions it inhabits. The seeds of the plant are small and black, enclosed in modest pods, allowing for easy dispersal and germination.
Cultivated and studied since its first recorded description in Linnaeus’s “Species Plantarum” in 1753, spring vetch has been appreciated not only for its natural beauty but also for its utility in ecological management and agriculture. As research into this species continues, its value both as a wildflower and as a cover crop becomes increasingly recognized.
Common Names
Deu: platterbsen-wicke
Eng: spring vetch
Dan: vår-vikke
Nor: vårvikke
Lav: dedestinu vikis
Cat: galavars menut
Nld: lathyruswikke
Swe: nätkelmävirna, vårvicker
Fin: nätkelmävirna
Fra: vesce fausse-gesse, vesce printaniere, fausse gesse
Nno: vårvikke
Nob: vårvikke
Rus: chechevichka chinovidnaya, chechevichka soloniskaya, goroshek chinovidnyi, goroshek olviski
Cym: ffacbys y gwanwyn, ffacbysen y gwanwyn, ffugbysen y gwanwyn
Gla: peasair earraigh
Kat: ცერცველა
En: Spring vetch
Ar: بيقية ربيعية
Be: Гарошак чынападобны
Bg: Секирчева глушина
Ca: Galavars menut
Cs: Vikev hrachorovitá
Da: Vår-Vikke
Nl: Lathyruswikke
Et: Väikeseõieline hiirehernes
Fi: Nätkelmävirna
Fr: Fausse gesse, Vesce fausse-gesse, Vesce Printaniere, Vesce fausse gesse, Vesce printanière, Vesce printannière
Ka: Ცერცველა
De: Platterbsen-Wicke, Platterbsen Wicke, Sand-Wicke
He: בקיה טופחנית
It: Veccia serena
Lv: Dedestinu vikis
Lt: Pavasarinis vikis
No: Vårvikke
Nb: Vårvikke
Nn: Vårvikke
Pl: Wyka lędźwianowata
Ru: Chechevichka Chinovidnaya, Chechevichka Soloniskaya, Goroshek Chinovidnyi, Goroshek Olviski
Gd: Peasair earraigh
Sv: Vårvicker, Nätkelmävirna
Cy: Ffacbysen y gwanwyn, Ffacbys y Gwanwyn, Ffugbysen y Gwanwyn
Synonyms
- Vicia angustifolia (Hohen.)
- Ervum soloniense (L.)
- Vicia minima (Gilib.)
- Vicia olbiensis (Reut.)
- Wiggersia minima (Alef.)
- Wiggersia lathyroides ((L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
- Lens soloniensis ((L.) Vines & Druce)
- Vicia arenivaga (Lamotte)
- Vicia lathyroides subsp. arenivaga ((Lamotte) Nyman)
- Cracca pauciflora ((C.Presl) Gennari)
- Vicia lathyroides var. olbiensis ((Reut.) P.Fourn.)
- Vicia multicaulis (Wallr.)
- Ervum lathyroides ((L.) Stank.)
- Vicia lathyroides subsp. olbiensis ((Reut.) Bujor.)
- Vicia pauciflora (C.Presl)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (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)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Apr 18, 2021 by akuroyena-a akuroyena-a harry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2021 by Sébastien franchini (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2019 by Elsinga (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Mallol Camprubí Albert (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 1, 2022 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2018 by Marc Vercaigne (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2019 by Robert Schilder (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2018 by Marc Vercaigne (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 30, 1850 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Fruit
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ori Fragman-Sapir (cc-by-nc-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 27, 2009 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 30, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2015 by EOL − Lisa Bennett (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
© 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/2975076)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524865-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia lathyroides L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb
