Origin:
One of many species of vetch introduced from Europe as an ornamental or forage plant. These have escaped to become common roadside and pasture weeds.
Biology:
An annual that reproduces from seeds.
Identification:
Mature plants are vine-like, with trailing or climbing stems up to 6 feet long. Stems are weak and do not stand erect well on their own. Leaves are long and divided into 10 to 20 elongate leaflets that each are over 1 inch long. At the ends of the leaves there are long, twisting tendrils for climbing and holding. Differs from Hairy Vetch by the larger leaves and larger seeds. Flowers are pink to purple and form in elongate clusters of up to 60 flowers. They usually form along only one side of the flower stalk. Seed pods that form are up to 1 inch long
Characteristicts Important to Control:
An early annual that flowers in late spring and forms seeds in early summer. Plants die in dry weather.
