Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica, Sp. Pl.: 734 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 734 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vicia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia

Description

Wood vetch, scientifically referred to as Vicia sylvatica, is a perennial climbing plant native to a broad range stretching from Europe to Siberia. This species was first described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Wood vetch showcases typical characteristics associated with legumes. The plant is particularly known for its ability to establish symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, thereby enriching the soil in which it grows. This attribute makes it a valuable component in natural ecosystems for maintaining soil health and fertility.

Wood vetch is easily recognizable by its delicate, pinnate leaves with multiple pairs of leaflets that give it a feathery appearance. The climbing stems can extend several meters, allowing the plant to trail across the ground or ascend nearby vegetation. During its blooming season, Wood vetch produces clusters of flowers that exhibit shades of white to pale purple, adding a touch of subtle beauty to forest undergrowth and meadow landscapes.

This species is ecologically significant, providing habitat and forage for various insects, including pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Additionally, the seeds of Wood vetch serve as a food source for birds and small mammal species, further integrating the plant into the food web.

Wood vetch thrives in a variety of habitats, from woodland edges and underbrush to open meadows, provided there is adequate moisture and partial sunlight to support its growth. The plant’s resilience and versatility in different environments underline its importance in botanical studies and conservation efforts.

In summary, Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica) is a noteworthy species within the Fabaceae family, valued for its ecological benefits and charming presence across a widespread natural range from Europe to Siberia.

Common Names

Dan: skov-vikke
Deu: wald-wicke
Nor: fager-ærter, skov-ærter
Fin: metsävirna
Swe: metsävirna, skogsvicker
Nob: skogvikke
Nno: skogvikke
Eng: wood vetch
Sme: vuovdesáhpal
Cym: ffacbys, ffacbys y coed, ffacbys y wig, ffacbysen y coed, ffacbysen y wig, ffagbysen y wig, ffugbysen y wig
En: Wood vetch
Ar: بيقية حراجية
Be: Гарошак лясны
Ce: Кхеламолх
Kw: Gwegbys an koos
Cs: Vikev lesní
Da: Skov-Vikke
Nl: Boswikke
Et: Mets-hiirehernes
Fi: Metsävirna, Metsävirvilä
Fr: Vesce des bois
De: Wald-Wicke
Hu: Ligeti bükköny
Ga: Peasair choille
It: Veccia silvana
Lt: Miškinis vikis
Se: Vuovdesáhpal
No: Skogvikke, Fager-ærter, Skov-ærter
Nb: Skogvikke
Nn: Skogvikke
Fa: ماشک جنگلی
Pl: Wyka leśna
Ru: Горошек лесной
Sv: Skogsvicker, Metsävirna
Cy: Ffacbysen y coed, Ffacbys, Ffacbys y Coed, Ffacbys y Wig, Ffacbysen y Wig, Ffagbysen y Wig, Ffugbysen y Wig

Synonyms

• Vicia tetragona (Desf.)
• Vicioides sylvatica ((L.) Moench)
• Wiggersia sylvatica ((L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
• Vicia foetens (Gilib.)
• Ervilia sylvatica ((L.) Schur)
• Ervum silvaticum ((L.) Peterm.)
• Cracca sylvatica ((L.) Opiz)
• Vicilla sylvatica ((L.) Schur)
• Vicia halleri (Crantz)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by JOJU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Jacqueline Dymen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2018 by orsatus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2017 by orsatus (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 10, 2020 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Skarv (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Дмитрий Дегтярев (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 21, 2020 by monique corlay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2022 by Jan Uhmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Bernard Haute Savoie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by Jiří Voříšek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 18, 2018 by F Gv (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 13, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Martine Martine Souriau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Skarv (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© 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/2974793)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:525181-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vicia sylvatica L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 5