Vicia cracca NS7847 8Jul2020 MP

Vicia cracca NS6765 23Jul2017 PW

Vicia cracca NS7143 28Jun2006 MJP

Vicia cracca NS6765 23Jul2017 PW

Vicia orobus NS9426 10Jun2018 MP

Vicia orobus NS9426 30Jun2018 PW

Vicia orobus NS9528 2009 JH

Vicia sativa NS6667 21May2018 FM

Vicia sativa NS7258 28April2019 FM

This is possibly Vicia sativa subsp nigra but without the upper leaves to compare it is too early to confirm.

Vicia sativa NS7258 28April2019 FM

Vicia sativa ssp. nigra NS6371 26May2019 MP

The upper leaves are much narrow than the lower leaves.

Vicia sativa ssp. nigra NS7155 10Jun2009 MP

Vicia sativa ssp. nigra NS6371 26May2019 MP

Vicia sativa ssp. nigra NS5954 01July2020 PW

Vicia sativa ssp sativa 30May2017 NS7738 MP

Vicia sativa ssp. sativa NS6764 5May2019 MP

Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis NS7848 07May2020 MP

Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis NS7155 7Jun2011 MP

Vicia sativa ssp segetalis NS6361 9Sep2017 MP

Vicia sativa ssp segetalis 28May2017 NS8267 PW

Vicia sepium 28May2017 NS8267 PW

The lower calyx teeth are clearly shorter than the upper teeth.

Vicia sepia NS5364 4May2019 PW

The leaves have 3 - 9 pairs of oval leaflets which are usually broadest near the base. They can have rounded or slightly notched tips.

Vicia sepium NS5364 29April2019 PW

Galega officinalis NS7851 16Jul2018 MP

Note the pointed leaflets.

Vicia tetrasperma NS6765 23Jul2017 PW

Vicia tetrasperma 14Jun2017 NS6462 MP

Vicia hirsuta 20May2017 NS5366 PW

Vicia hirsuta 20May2017 NS5366 PW

Vicia hirsutaNotice the truncated ends to the widely-spaced leaflets.

Vicia hirsuta 20May2017 NS5366 PW

There are four seeds in the hairless pod.

Vicia tetrasperma NS6765 23Jul2017 PW

It has a loose rangy growth habit, usually entwining with shrubs or grass.

Vicia tetrasperma 2Aug2017 NS6265 MP

The loose habit and pods are distinctive

NS6765 23Jul2017 PW

Galega officinalis NS7851 16Jul2018 MP

Vicia Species - Vetches

Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch 5 - 12 pairs of lanceolate pubescent pointed mucronate grey-green leaflets, unmarked triangular or hastate entire stipules and branched tendrils. 10 - 40 bluish-violet flowers in a peduncle.

Vicia orobus Wood Bitter-vetch Perennial No tendrils, >5 pairs of leaflets, mucronate at tip, rounded top and bottom white flower with purple tinging and veins on a pedicle > 3cm long

Vicia sativa Common Vetch black dot on the stipules 3 - 8 pair leaves - often narrow oblong in outline with mucronate tip. Flowers 1 -2, calyx-teeth equal. Flowers usually pink – purplish.

· ssp nigra Upper leaves much narrower than lower leaves - flower is one colour, fruits brown to black and smooth, (usually seaside or sandy soils).

· ssp segetalis standard much paler than wings, fruit not constricted between seeds, brown to black and smooth, (commonest)

· ssp sativa much more robust, standard much paler than wings fruit constricted between seeds and usually hairy.

Vicia sepium Bush Vetch 5 - 9 pairs of ovate leaflets, widest at the base, truncate or emarginate and mucronate at apex, with slightly toothed stipules and branched tendrils. 2 - 6 sessile flowers with lower calyx teeth longer than the upper. Early and longer flowering period

Vicia sylvatica– Wood Vetch

Ervilia hirsuta - Hairy Tare. This was changed from Vicia hirsuta in Stace 4th Ed.

Ervum tetraspermum - Smooth Tare. This was changed from Vicia tetrasperma in Stace 4th Ed.

Galega officinalis - Goat’s-rue While this is not a Vicia this naturalised plant is very like a vetch.