Vicia sativa


Common Name:

Common Vetch

Family:

Fabaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Murray Mallee, Wimmera, Wannon, Grampians, Riverina, Midlands, Victorian Volcanic Plain, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Gippsland Highlands (ABCDEast GippslandJKLMNPRTW) also naturalised WA, SA, Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Throughout much of Victoria, particularly in disturbed sites 1

Flower Description:

Crimson, violet or pink 1

Habit:

Climbing or decumbent annual herb 1

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):


Three species are present in Victoria. Vicia sativa subsp. nigra has very dark brown-black pods, Vicia sativa subsp. sativa has pods 6-12 mm wide and a yellow-brown pod and Vicia sativa subsp. cordata has a dark brown pod 4-6 mm wide 1

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

VicFlora

Conservation status:

Introduced

References:

1 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria