Black pod vetch, Narrow leaf vetch
Vicia sativa subsp. nigra

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It lies along the ground. It is slender with stems 10-15 cm tall.

Where it is found

It grows in Mediterranean and temperate climates. It grows in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It can grow in soils with pH between 4.9-8.2. It grows between 1,600-3,360 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 350-1,160 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Central Africa, Chile, Congo, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Africa, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scandinavia, Slovakia, South America, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tanzania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Caution: The seeds contain a poison that can cause a condition called lathyrism. The young seeds are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baqile maran

Synonyms

Vicia angustifolia L.; Vicia bobartii Koch; Vicia cuneata Guss.; Vicia debilis Perez Lara; Vicia heterophylla C. Presl.; Vicia lanciformis Lange; Vicia pilosa M. Bieb.; Vicia sativa L. subsp. angustifolia (L.) Gaudin; Vicia sativa L. var. abyssinica (Alef.) Baker; Vicia sativa L. var. angustifolia L.; Vicia segetalis Thuill.; Vicia abyssinica Alef.;