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Vicia_narbonensis - L.

Common Name French Vetch, Purple broad vetch
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Thickets, damp fields and ditches[100].
Range S. Europe. W. Asia. N. Africa. a rare casual, occasionally persisting in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Vicia_narbonensis French Vetch, Purple broad vetch


Vicia_narbonensis French Vetch, Purple broad vetch

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Vicia_narbonensis is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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 serratifolia (misapplied). Bona narbonensis.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[2, 177, 183]. Of excellent quality[2]. Used as a vegetable[105, 177]. The reports do not say what part of the plant is used, It is likely to be the leaves.

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

None known

Special Uses

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]. This species is probably the parent of the cultivated broad bean, V. faba[2]. 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]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in spring or autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Vicia narbonensisFrench Vetch, Purple broad vetchAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHSNM20 

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

50

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Dirk Enneking   Sun Jun 21 2009

vicia narbonensis pdf Enneking, D.; Maxted, N. (1995) Narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis L.). Evolution of Crop Plants, 2nd ed.; Smartt, J.; Simmonds, N. W., Longman: London, pp 316-321.

Dirk Enneking   Sun Jun 21 2009

Enneking, D.; Delaere, I. M., and Tate, M. E. (1998) gamma -Glutamyl-S-ethenyl-cysteine, a g -glutamyl peptide from Vicia narbonensis. Phytochemistry 48(4), 643-646 When the seed is cheweth it filleth the mouth with stinking matter (Dodoens). We found the culprit!

Dirk Enneking   Sun Jun 21 2009

Narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis L.): farmer's dream or devil's bean? by Marina Arias Royo*, Max Tate* and Dirk Enneking**

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