Vetches
September 16, 2015
Vicia spp.
Life cycle
Climbing or trailing annual, biennial or perennial vines.
Leaves
Alternate, pinnately compound with several pairs of opposite, narrowly oblong leaflets. The terminal leaflet is modified into a branched, twining tendril used to climb.
Vetch leaves.
Stems
Ascending, climbing or trailing stems are herbaceous but may become woody with age.
Vetch stem.
Flowers and fruit
Blue, purple or reddish pea-like flowers are borne on short stalks in the upper leaf axils or found crowded along one side of long, bare stalks. Fruit are variously sized pea-like pods.
Vetch flowers (left). Pea-like pods of vetch (right).
Reproduction
Seeds or rhizomes.
Print a PDF of this page: Vetches
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Advancing Economics, Transforming Lives
Published on April 12, 2023
-
Strengthening the Tart Cherry Industry Through Extension Research
Published on October 26, 2020
-
Professor Thomas Reardon Named MSU University Distinguished Professor
Published on December 6, 2021
-
Titus Awokuse reflects on Clifton R. Wharton’s legacy
Published on February 24, 2020
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.