Large Russian Vetch, Winter vetch
Vicia villosa
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Vicia villosa is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1.8 m (6ft). It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Cultivated land and waste places, avoiding acid soils and shady positions.
C. and S. Europe. W. Asia and N. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed. No more details are given. Used as a vegetable. No more details are given.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
Used as a spring or autumn sown green manure. The seed can be sown in September to overwinter, or as late as October for a greenhouse green manure.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade. Cultivated for its edible seed in N. and C. Europe. This species is not very deep rooting. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in spring or autumn.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
There is some evidence that the seed may be toxic but this has only been shown under laboratory conditions, there are no recorded cases of poisoning by this plant in Britain.