Bird vetch

Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca), also known as tufted vetch, is a species of vetch native to Europe and Asia. It is a climbing perennial herb that forms dense clusters of violet-blue flowers.

Description

Bird Vetch is a perennial plant that grows up to 1.5 meters tall. The leaves are pinnate with 8-12 pairs of leaflets, and end in tendrils for climbing. The flowers are violet-blue, 1-2 cm long, with 5-10 flowers on each inflorescence. The fruit is a legume, 2-3 cm long, containing 6-8 seeds.

Distribution and habitat

Bird Vetch is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to North America, where it has become an invasive species. It prefers well-drained soils and is often found in grasslands, woodlands, and along roadsides.

Ecology

Bird Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which allows it to grow in poor soils. It is also a food source for several species of Lepidoptera, including the silver Y moth and the six-spot burnet.

Uses

Bird Vetch has been used as a forage crop for livestock, and its seeds are edible for humans when cooked. However, it can be toxic if eaten in large quantities.

Control

In areas where Bird Vetch is considered an invasive species, control methods include mowing, hand-pulling, and the use of herbicides.

See also

• Vetch
• Invasive species
• Forage crop