Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
americana
ID:
175011

Status:
valid

Authors:
Muhl. ex Willd.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1802

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 3: 1096 (1802)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000174340

Common Names

  • American Vetch
  • Vetchling
  • Cow Vetch

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Synonyms

  • Vicia oregana Torr. & A.Gray [unknown]
  • Vicia durbrowi Eastw. [deprecated]
  • Abacosa americana (Muhl. ex Willd.) Alef. [valid]
  • Vicia americana americana [unknown]
  • Vicia americana truncata (Nutt.) W.H.Brewer & S.Watson [deprecated]
  • Vicia americana truncata (Nutt.) Á.Löve & D.Löve [unknown]

Description

Vicia americana (also called American Vetch, among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to western North America. It has small, white flowers, and grows in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, disturbed areas, and open woodlands.

Uses & Benefits

Vicia americana is used as a forage crop for livestock, as a soil-stabilizing cover crop, and as a green manure crop to improve soil fertility.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Vicia americana var. americana
Vicia americana var. minor Hook.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Vicia americana has small, white flowers and small, black, oval-shaped seeds. The seedlings have two cotyledons and a short, thick stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Vicia americana is a perennial plant that is best grown in full sun. It can be propagated by seed or by division. The seeds should be sown in spring or early summer in a well-drained soil. Division can be done in late spring or early summer. The plants should be spaced about 30 cm apart.

Where to Find Vicia americana

Vicia americana is native to North America and can be found in open woodlands, prairies, and disturbed areas.

Vicia americana FAQ

What is the scientific name of Vicia americana?

Vicia americana

What is the common name of Vicia americana?

American Vetch

What is the growth habit of Vicia americana?

It is an annual herb with a prostrate growth habit.

Species in the Vicia genus

Vicia hassei, Vicia lomensis, Vicia ocalensis, Vicia setifolia, Vicia epetiolaris, Vicia macrograminea, Vicia pampicola, Vicia acutifolia, Vicia americana, Vicia andicola, Vicia bijuga, Vicia caroliniana, Vicia humilis, Vicia leucophaea, Vicia linearifolia, Vicia magellanica, Vicia menziesii, Vicia minutiflora, Vicia montevidensis, Vicia nana, Vicia nigricans, Vicia pallida, Vicia pulchella, Vicia stenophylla, Vicia vicina, Vicia peruviana, Vicia andina, Vicia sessei, Vicia tetrasperma, Vicia graminea, Vicia balansae, Vicia michauxii, Vicia pseudo-orobus, Vicia hyrcanica, Vicia amurensis, Vicia splendens, Vicia alpestris, Vicia ciceroidea, Vicia multijuga, Vicia megalotropis, Vicia cassia, Vicia cypria, Vicia kalakhensis, Vicia eristalioides, Vicia mollis, Vicia hyaeniscyamus, Vicia johannis, Vicia parviflora, Vicia tenuissima, Vicia kotschyana,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Muhl.' in the authors string.
Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765-1812): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Willd.' in the authors string.