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Vicia sativa - L.

Common Name Winter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetch
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards There is some evidence that the seed may be toxic but this has only been shown under laboratory conditions, there are no recorded cases of poisoning by this plant in Britain[76].
Habitats Hedges and grassy places, avoiding acid soils or shady positions[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Vicia sativa Winter Tares, Garden vetch,  Subterranean vetch


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Svdmolen
Vicia sativa Winter Tares, Garden vetch,  Subterranean vetch
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:320_Vicia_sativa.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Vicia sativa is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 1.2 m (4ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Vicia bacla. Vicia communis. Vicia glabra. Vicia nemoralis

Habitats

 Hedgerow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses: Tea

Seed - cooked[22, 74]. Not very palatable nor very digestible but it is very nutritious[2, 115]. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flour to make bread, biscuits, cakes etc[183]. The beans compliment the protein in the cereal making it more complete[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Leaves, young shoots and young pods - cooked[105, 177, 183]. The leaves are a tea substitute[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Green manure

A very valuable green manure crop, it can be sown in spring or as late as October. A deep rooted and fast growing plant, it is winter hardy, an effective weed suppresser, produces a good bulk and fixes a large amount of nitrogen[87]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade[200]. The sub-species V. sativa leucosperma. Ser. is the form usually grown for food[74]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in situ from late winter to early summer and again in the autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Vicia hirticalycina Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
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Vicia monanthaHard Vetch, Barn vetchAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHSNM203
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Vicia noeana Annual0.6 -  LMHSNM10 
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Vicia pseudo-orobus Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNDM10 
Vicia sativa leucospermaWinter TaresAnnual Climber1.2 4-8 FLMHSNM303
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future   Thu Dec 20 2007

Seeds of this plant can be obtained from B&T World Seeds http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/

Kathy Kalafat   Sun Dec 16 2007

We supply Vicia sativa seeds on our website (www.wildflowershop.co.uk). It is also known as Common Vetch. Kathy

Wild Flower Shop wild flower plants, seeds, meadow mixes & bulbs

Martin Ripper   Wed Dec 12 2007

Can this plant be bought anywhere?

Dirk Enneking   Sun Jun 21 2009

Vetches from feed to food Grain legumes - Special report 2006

Dirk Enneking   Sun Jun 21 2009

take your pick of vetch publications

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Subject : Vicia sativa  
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