Hairy Vetch-Pea Family

Vicia villosa

Wolly vetch, Winter Vetch

Characteristics. Hairy vetch is useful for nitrogen fixation in the soil and was brought to North America from Europe for use in crop rotation. A related species, common vetch, is an escaped ornamental that can also cause problems in cropping situations, wasteland and along roadsides.

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consist of a long stem-like midrib with 10 t0 20 leaflets attached along their length. The leaflets are linear to lance-shaped and approximately ¾ inch long. Tendrils extend from the tip of the leaves. Ten to 21 inch long purple to pink flowers grow and are equally arranged on one side of an elongated flower stock. The flowers and leaves of common vetch are considerably larger than those of hairy vetch.

Characteristic Important to Control. This weed is difficult to eradicate once establish as the seeds are hard and remain dormant for a long time.