How to identify Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)

How to identify Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)

Hairy vetch, also known as Winter vetch

Hairy vetch displays a growth of fine, winter-resistant foliage that matures into a sprawling mass of stems up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. Its leaves are pinnate with multiple leaflets and it produces small, purple to violet flowers typical of the Fabaceae family. The flowers then develop into linear, podded fruits. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, silky hairs covering the stems and leaves, giving it a characteristically shaggy appearance. This plant is known to climb neighboring vegetation for support.

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Hairy vetch

Fine, winter-resistant foliage with dense, silky hairs for a shaggy appearance.

Small, delicate flowers in shades of violet blue to pink on slender racemes.

Dehiscent, oblong legume fruits up to 2 inches (5 cm) with neat, round seeds.

Pinnate compound leaves with white hairs along the central stalk.

Vining stems, 3 to 10 feet (90 to 300 cm), rounded with ridges and soft white hairs.

Detailed Traits of Hairy vetch

Leaf Features

The leaves of hairy vetch are alternate and pinnately compound, reaching up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. They consist of 8-12 pairs of oblong to oblanceolate leaflets, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) across, featuring entire margins. The central stalk is adorned with distinctive white hairs spreading horizontally, which is a key identifying feature.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

Hairy vetch features violet blue to pink flowers that grow on slender racemes. Each raceme, roughly 6 inches (15 cm) in length, bears 5 to 20 pairs of flowers that hang in a nodding position. The flowers are small, delicate, and arranged alternately along the raceme. Blooming mainly in the late spring to early summer, these flowers are known for their attractive hues and modest size, contributing to the charming appearance of the plant in bloom.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of hairy vetch are characterized by their vining, multi-branched, and sprawling nature, measuring 3 to 10 feet (90 to 300 cm) in length. They are rounded with ridges and covered in soft white hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy texture. The stems typically exhibit a green color and support extensive branching, allowing the plant to spread aggressively. The ridged and hairy texture, along with the vining growth pattern, are distinguishing features crucial for identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of hairy vetch is a dehiscent, oblong legume, reminiscent of a traditional pea pod, measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length. It exhibits a flattened contour, and its surface is smooth to the touch. Mature pods display a tawny hue and are known to encase numerous spherical seeds that are neatly arranged in a single row within the pod. These round seeds are a distinctive trait of the fruit that aids in identification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Hairy vetch and Their Similar Plants

Common vetch vs. Hairy vetch: What's The Difference?

Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is an annual herb plant also commonly called vetch, tare, and garden vetch. It is often considered a weed, but is also utilized for manure and animal feed for livestock across the world. When grown for agricultural purposes, it is sown in dense fields.

Broad bean vs. Hairy vetch: What's The Difference?

Broad bean (Vicia faba) is a fruit-bearing flowering plant related to the pea. Its origins are unknown. The broad bean is also called the broad bean or the faba bean. This plant is widely cultivated for human consumption and has a broad range of culinary uses.

Carolina vetch vs. Hairy vetch: What's The Difference?

Carolina vetch (Vicia caroliniana) is a flowering perennial native to the eastern United States. It is a typical representative of the Legume family, featuring a typical compound leaf and attractive, pollinator-friendly white flower clusters. One might say that carolina vetch looks like a miniature herbaceous version of its woody cousin, the Black locust tree.

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Key Facts About Hairy vetch

Attributes of Hairy vetch

Spread

30 cm to 90 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Purple

White

Pink

Blue

Lavender

Fruit Color

Brown

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Hairy vetch

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Hairy vetch

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Legumes, milkworts and allies

Family

Legume

Genus

Vetches

Species

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)

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Distribution Map of Hairy vetch

Hairy vetch is native to the North Africa, Europe and West Asia. It is found by roadsides, riverbanks, and meadows. It has been introduced to the rest of the world and is reported on all continents except Antarctica. Hairy vetch is on the Oregon Invasive List.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Hairy vetch

A Comprehensive Guide to Hairy vetch How to Grow and Care for Hairy vetch