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Fabaceae
Crown Vetch
Securigera varia
Covering what is bare.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Securigera
- Native to
- Europe, Mediterranean
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 1-2 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, poor to moderate
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 3-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Crown vetch was widely planted along American highways in the 1950s-70s for erosion control, but is now considered invasive in many states.
- As a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, enriching poor soils without fertilizer.
- The crown-shaped flower clusters give the plant its common name; each cluster contains 10 to 25 small pea-like flowers.
- Despite its beauty, all parts of the plant contain nitro-compounds that are toxic to horses if consumed in quantity.
- A single plant can spread over 70 square feet via underground rhizomes in just a few years.
Color meanings
0
restoration
1
cooperation