Vicia Sylvatica, Wood Vetch



Common name:
Wood vetch
Family:
Scientific name:
Vicia sylvatica
Main flower color:
Range:
Most of the British Isles but only locally common; most abundant in coastal areas of the west
Height:
Up to 150 cm
Habitat:
Woodland, coastal cliffs
Flowers:
Calyces, green to purplish. are hairless, and divided to around a quarter of their length into narrow, equally-sized teeth, often irregularly positioned. Petals are white, crossed by dark purple veins, most prominently on the banner petal. Flowers are attached by stalks, similar in length to the calyx
Fruit:
Black pods, up to 3 cm long
Leaves:
Unevenly pinnately divided into 6 to 12 pairs of hairless, ovate to oblong leaflets, each with a tiny spike at the tip. Leaflets have pinnate veins. Leaves terminate in a branched tendril
Season:
June to August
Rarity:
★★★★