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Hairy Vetch Flower Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Hairy Vetch Flower

Vicia villosa

nourishment.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Vicia
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
annual or biennial
Height
24-48 inches
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, any type
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
annual to biennial

Did you know

  • Hairy vetch is one of the most popular cover crops in the world, fixing up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the soil.
  • The cascading purple flower clusters can contain 10 to 30 individual pea-like blooms.
  • Hairy vetch climbs using tendrils that coil around any nearby support, including other plants.
  • The seeds contain a toxic compound called vicine, which can be harmful to cattle if consumed in large quantities.
  • It is widely used by organic farmers as a natural alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

Color meanings

0

sustenance

1

support

2

tenacity

Uses

  • cover crop
  • green manure
  • pollinator plant
  • erosion control