French vetch, Narbonne vetch
Vicia narbonensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is similar to broad bean. It is a short hairy annual plant. The stems are robust but not climbing. The leaves have 2-3 pairs of oblong leaflets. The lower leaves do not have tendrils. The leaflets and stipule may or may not have teeth. The flowers are white with purple veins or all purple. They are 20-30 mm long. The flowers occur singly or in pairs. The pods are black or brown and 30-70 mm long.

There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in both cultivated and waste places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, Sicily, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked as a snack and are also eaten raw or roasted. The fresh pods are eaten raw.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bakile jispa, Burraideh, Collik, Colliki genni, Ful iblis, Kalikakoz, Lovike hispa, Moor's pea, Narbon bean, Sakil, Sokile ga

Synonyms

Bona narbonensis (L.) Medik.;