We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Vicia pisiformis - L.

Common Name Pea Vetch, Pale-flower vetch
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests, mainly broad-leaved, in Scandinavia and eastwards to Asia[74].
Range C. and E. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Vicia pisiformis Pea Vetch, Pale-flower vetch


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax
Vicia pisiformis Pea Vetch, Pale-flower vetch
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vicia_pisiformis_Sturm6.jpg

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Vicia pisiformis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). 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

Ervum pisiforme. Vicia ochroleuca

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[2]. Used like lentils[177]. Used as a vegetable[105]. No more details are given.

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

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

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. Cultivated in France[2]. (for its edible seed?). 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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Artemisia ludovicianaWhite Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western MugwortPerennial1.0 4-9 MLMSNDM222
Artemisia ludoviciana gnaphalodesWhite SagePerennial1.0 4-8  LMSNDM021
Avena ludovicianaOatsAnnual0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Lactuca ludovicianaWestern Wild Lettuce, Biannual lettuceBiennial1.2 0-0  LMSNM22 
Orobanche ludovicianaBroomrape, Louisiana broomrapePerennial1.5 0-0  LMHFSNM110
Vicia americanaAmerican Vetch, Mat vetchPerennial1.0 4-7  LMHSNM214
Vicia amoena Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia amurensis Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia articulataOne-Flower VetchAnnual0.6 -  LMHSNM103
Vicia benghalensisPurple VetchAnnual/Perennial0.6 - FLMHSNM003
Vicia carolinianaCarolina vetch, Carolina wood vetchPerennial0.6 3-9 MLMHFSNM024
Vicia craccaTufted Vetch, Bird vetch, Cow vetchPerennial Climber1.8 4-8  LMHSNM113
Vicia erviliaBitter VetchAnnual0.6 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia faba equinaHorsebeanAnnual1.0 4-8 FLMHSNM303
Vicia faba majorBroad Bean, Fava BeanAnnual1.0 4-10 FLMHSNM413
Vicia faba minutaTick BeanAnnual1.0 4-8 FLMHSNM303
Vicia giganteaGiant VetchPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM213
Vicia grandiflora kitaibelianalarge yellow vetchAnnual0.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Vicia heptajuga Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia hirsutaHairy Tare, Tiny vetchAnnual0.5 4-9  LMHSNM203
Vicia hirticalycina Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia japonica Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia monanthaHard Vetch, Barn vetchAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHSNM203
Vicia narbonensisFrench Vetch, Purple broad vetchAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHSNM20 
Vicia nipponica Perennial0.8 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia noeana Annual0.6 -  LMHSNM10 
Vicia pseudo-orobus Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNDM10 
Vicia sativaWinter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetchAnnual Climber1.2 4-8 FLMHSNM303
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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

5074

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Vicia pisiformis  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.