Native Plants
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Vicia americana
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd.
American Vetch, American Deervetch
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: VIAM
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A slender, climbing plant clinging to other vegetation or structures by slender, coiling tendrils at end of each leaf; loose racemes of 3-10 deep pinkish-purple to reddish-lavender pea flowers on stalks from leaf axils.
With showy flowers unusually large for the genus, this plant resembles many species of Lathyrus but is distinguished by the distribution of the hairs at the tip of the style. In Vicia the hairs usually surround the tip, resembling a shaving brush; in Lathyrus they are generally on the upperside, like a little hairbrush.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , DC , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MD , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SD , TX , UT , VA , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: PE
Native Distribution: Throughout West; also in eastern Canada and northeastern United States.
Native Habitat: Open places in woods, road banks, and fencerows.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.6 - Wildflower Center Featured Non-Profit in Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, Dana Leav...Additional resources
USDA: Find Vicia americana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vicia americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vicia americana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2021-10-19Research By: TWC Staff