Fine-leaved Vetch
Vicia tenuifolia
The plant's tendrils are actually modified leaflets that are sensitive to touch, allowing the vetch to 'climb' vertical structures or other plants for better light access.
- Scientific name
- Vicia tenuifolia
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Fabales › Fabaceae › Vicia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry meadows, sunny slopes, forest margins, and scrublands.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis).
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, Siberia
- Size
- Stems typically 60 to 150 cm in length.
- Lifespan
- 3-7 years (Perennial)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Intensive agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and excessive use of broad-spectrum herbicides.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This plant is safe to touch but should not be consumed, as many Vicia species contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Enjoy its climbing form and vibrant flowers from a distance to avoid trampling the delicate grassland habitat.
Vicia tenuifolia , the fine-leaved vetch, cow vetch , fodder vetch or bramble vetch , is a herbaceous perennial plant species in the family Fabaceae. This species is widespread in Europe and some parts of both Asia and Africa. In some other areas it occurs as an introduced species. In a few countries this edible vetch is used as food for both humans and farm animals.
Photo: Brian Finzel, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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