Seasonal Wild Flowers

Tufted Vetch

Vicia cracca

Fabaceae

June to August

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Tufted Vetch

It grows in hedgerows, pastures, hay meadows, the

edges of woods, and alongside paths and roads.

Tufted Vetch is native, nitogen-fixing, scrambling,

perennial, herb growing up to 2m.

The violet-purple flowers (1cm) are on one-sided spikes

up to 10cm.

Leaves have between 6 and 12 opposite leaflets and a

terminal branched tendril.

The flowers en masse are quite eye catching.

The sport shown, in the last picture, was localised and

extensive for a year and then disappeared.

Tufted Vetch in a grassy hedgebank

Front view of Tufted Vetch

Close-up of flowers from the front

Side view of flower head

Close-up from the side

Leaflets with 3 tendrils

White sport, Lune estuary cycle track