Vicia bithynica (L.) L. (S and W-Eur., Medit., W-As.) – A rather rare and much decreasing, ephemeral alien. Already recorded in the first half of the 19th century (without further details). In 1877 observed by a railway track in Kessel-Lo and in Sint-Genesius-Rhode in a rye field (Secale cereale), along with Vicia hybrida. In 1879 also seen in Berchem and in 1909 in Kontich, again near railway tracks. In 1913 and 1915 repeatedly seen in Heusy-Jonkeu, along with Vicia hybrida and V. monantha (almost certainly from grain waste). Occasionally seen elsewhere, for instance in the port of Antwerpen in 1912. In the past decades much rarer. In 1958 recorded again in Berchem (waste land) and in 1982 by a railway track in the port of Antwerpen. Recorded twice in 2002: in a worked-up road verge of motorway E17 in Bellegem and on a demolition site in Gent. Also seen on arable land in Flône in 2011, along with Vicia narbonensis and V. pannonica. In 2014 recorded on several occasions in roadsides near Tienen and on a talus slope of a canal (Canal du Centre) in Strépy.
Vicia bithynica somehow looks like a species of Lathyrus (it has been confused with L. cicera in Belgian herbaria). However, it is readily distinguished by its conspicuous stipules.
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Selected literature:
Sutorý K. (1976) Vicia bithynica (L.) L. také v Československu. Zpr. Čs. Bot. Společ. 11: 29.