Vicia grandiflora Scop.

Taxonomic Classification

Vicia grandiflora Scop. is a relatively common annual legume.

Growth Habit

It is a usually upright, sprawling hirsute vining plant, growing between 30 and 60 centimetres tall.

Leaf Structure

It produces alternate, petiolate, pinnately compound leaves, with 6 to 14 leaflets total.

Subspecies Leaflet Variation

Leaflet shape varies by subspecies: leaflets are round to obovate in Vicia grandiflora subsp. grandiflora, and linear to oblanceolate, sometimes narrowly cordate, in Vicia grandiflora subsp. sordida.

Leaf and Leaflet Features

Each individual leaflet ends in a short, sharp point, and each full leaf ends in a three-part tendril.

Pollination and Flowering Period

This species is pollinated by insects, and flowers in spring, typically from April to June.

Flower Form and Color

Its flowers are the typical bilaterally symmetrical papilionaceous form made up of a banner, keel and wing, with bright yellow petals; over time, flowers may fade from their original bright yellow to a pale lavender shade.

Flower Size and Inflorescence

Individual flowers measure 2 to 3 centimetres across, and several flowers grow together to form an inflorescence.

Inflorescence Attachment

Inflorescences may be either sessile or borne on short petioles.

Sepal Characteristics

The species' sepals are fused into a long calyx tube that is sometimes hairy, ending in pointed calyx teeth.

Fruit Size

Its dry fruit is a legume pod measuring 3 to 5 centimetres.

Fruit Development and Dispersal

The pod typically darkens as it ages, and splits open when ripe to release its seeds.

Similar Species

Vicia grandiflora can be confused with similar species, including the vetches Vicia lutea and Vicia pannonia, and the vetchling Lathyrus pratensis.

Native Distribution

Vicia grandiflora is native to Europe and parts of Asia, where it has been recorded in Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Introduction History

It was later introduced to North America, likely as forage for grazing animals.

Introduced Range and Status

In North America, it is mostly restricted to eastern and southeastern states of the United States, and it is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Habitat Range

Vicia grandiflora grows in a wide range of different habitats, including anthropologically modified urban areas.

Specific Habitat Types

It can be found on meadows, in open forests, in fields and gardens, and in ruderal landscapes.

Elevation Range

It rarely occurs in mountains, only growing at elevations up to 1,800 metres.

Habitat Preferences

It is a habitat generalist that prefers warm, sunny growing sites.

Conservation Status

It is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its overall population is rated as stable.