Vicia cracca
Table of Contents
Common Name: Cow Vetch
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Tracheophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Vicia |
| Species: Vicia cracca |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
The flowers of cow vetch are 0.5", purple, numerous, and clustered on one side of the stem.
The leaves are compound with 8 to 12 pairs of rounded leaflets on downy stems. The plants are vine-like with tendrils and grow to 3’ in height.
Habitat & Range
Cow vetch grows in fields and on trail sides. It is native to Europe and invasive in North America and Asia.
Life Cycle
The flowers of this species bloom from May to August.
Cow vetch is an herbaceous perennial.
Featured image by James Dake.
Related
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud
Coronilla varia
Crownvetch
Lotus corniculatus
Bird’s-foot Trefoil