Vicia is a genus of over 240 species of flowering plants that are part of the legume family (Fabaceae), and which are commonly known as vetches. Member species are native to Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Africa.

Aug 7, 2024 · Several species of vetch (Vicia spp.) are common in landscape plantings and are most noticeable in the spring when they begin vining and climbing over ornamental plants.

PLANTS currently recognizes three subspecies of American vetch: ssp. americana, ssp. minor, and ssp. mexicana (USDA-NRCS, 2015). V. a. ssp. americana bears more flowers, (5-9) per inflorescence, and is more sprawling with prehensile, often branched, tendrils. V.

Pests and Potential Problems Vicia spp. is susceptible to several species of Botrytis fungus. Vetch seeds are also susceptible to vetch bruchid (Bruchus brachialis) injury. This insect pest is largely responsible for poor natural reseeding of vetch in pastures.

Blue, purple or reddish pealike flowers are borne on short stalks in the upper leaf axils or found crowded along one side of long, bare stalks. Fruit are variously sized pealike pods. Seeds or rhizomes.

Vicia spp., woolly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa) and popany vetch (Vicia benghalensis), are leguminous weeds that cause systemic granulomatous disease in cattle and occasionally in horses.

Part of the book series: Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture ( (PSBA,volume 34)) The genus Vicia comprises approximately 160 annual and perennial species. The most economically important is Vicia faba, which is the only species used currently for human food.

A generalized profile is given here that covers the most common vetch species noted above. Always follow the control method's label directions. In New York, find the latest label information at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal.

Vicia sativa L. subsp. sativa has been used recently as a lentil substitute in South Asia (Tate & Enneking 1992). Several species of Vicia are important as forage and grain crops. Chief among these are common vetch (V. sativa subsp. sativa), narbon bean (V narbonensis L.), woolly pod.

American vetch (Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd.) belongs to the Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) family, Vicieae tribe (Endo and Ohashi 1997), Americanae section, and Cracca subgenus (Endo et al. 2008).