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Common Name: Hairy Vetch

Other Names: Woollypod Vetch, Winter Vetch

Species Name: Vicia villosa

Plant Type: Legume

Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family

 

 

 

 

Plant Facts  
Origin Introduced 
Duration Annual or Biennial
Distribution in the U.S. Eastern half of the U.S. and Pacific Coast States
Distribution in Oklahoma Throughout the state

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegetative

    • Tangled masses of stems
    • Pinnately compound leaves with 3 tendrils
    • Hairy coating on stems, branches and leaves

    Floral

    • Flowers bicolor; white and purple or white and pink
    • Seed pod compressed; elongated oval shape with tapered, pointed tips
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Leaf Type: Compound, 1-pinnately
    • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 
    • Leaf Shape: Linear or narrowly oblong 
    • Stipules: Present
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Petal Number: 5, fused
    • Flower Color: Purple or rose or violet and white
    • Flower Timing: April-June
    • Fruit Type: (Flat) legumes

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Sandy soils
Habitat Roadsides, in crops and in waste areas
Successional Stage Early

 

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