[Vetch: The Genus Vicia in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Common Vetch, Tare

Vicia sativa var. sativa

Synonyms: Vicia sativa ssp. sativa, Vicia sativa var. linearis

Axillary flower and stem leaf of Common Vetch, Garden Vetch, Smaller Common Vetch, Tare: Vicia sativa Vicia sativa var. sativa (Synonyms: Vicia sativa ssp. sativa, Vicia sativa var. linearis)

The photo above shows a close-up of the flowers, pinnately compound leaf and tendrils of common vetch as seen near the Sandy River in the western Columbia River Gorge........May 2005. Note the red wings, a characteristic of this variety.

Characteristics:

Common vetch is a weedy perennial species with one to several stems climbing via tendrils up through the foliage of other plants. The stems range from 30-80 cm long. The stems and leaves are often glabrous but may also bear numerous straight, stiff, appressed hairs. The stipules at the base of the pinnately compound leaves are 3-8 mm long and generally deeply toothed. The leaves are alternate along the stems and usually have 5-7 pairs of linear, oblanceolate or obovate-oblanceolate leaflets with a long, well-branched, prehensile tendril at the tip (See photos above and below.). The leaflets range from 1.5-3 cm long and have tips that are rounded or truncate but tapered abruptly to a narrow point at the tip.

The flowers are solitary or paired in the axils with peduncles up to 25 mm long. The corolla measures 16-25 mm long and is orchid to purplish in color, often with reddish wings. The banner is large and hooded at first, but becomes erect. The calyx is about half the length of the corolla with linear teeth that are over half the length of the calyx tube. The pubescent pods range from 3-8 cm long and readily produce seedlings.


Habitat:

Common vetch is found in disturbed soils, including road sides, fallow fields and waste areas.


Range:

Natives of Europe, common vetch was originally cultivated in North America and has since escaped and become established over much of the United States. Variety sativa is found west of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington.

In the Columbia River Gorge, the species may be found between the elevations of 100'-1700' from the Sandy River eastward to near The Dalles, OR. The variety sativa seems to be limited to between Portland and Vancouver and the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge.


Close-up of the calyx and corolla of Common Vetch, Garden Vetch, Smaller Common Vetch, Tare: Vicia sativa Vicia sativa var. sativa (Synonyms: Vicia sativa ssp. sativa, Vicia sativa var. linearis)

A close-up sideview of the corolla and calyx of common vetch as seen near Memaloose Overlook in the central Columbia River Gorge.........April 24, 2006.

Close-up frontal view of the corolla of Common Vetch, Garden Vetch, Smaller Common Vetch, Tare: Vicia sativa Vicia sativa var. sativa (Synonyms: Vicia sativa ssp. sativa, Vicia sativa var. linearis) - Close-up of the flower and upper stem leaves of Common Vetch, Garden Vetch, Smaller Common Vetch, Tare: Vicia sativa Vicia sativa var. sativa (Synonyms: Vicia sativa ssp. sativa, Vicia sativa var. linearis)

A photo of common vetch as seen near Memaloose Overlook in the central Columbia River Gorge.........April 24, 2006.

Paul Slichter