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Vicia sativa var. abyssinica

(Alef.) Baker

gbif· cc-by

Meise Botanic Garden

gbif· cc-by

Meise Botanic Garden

gbif· cc-by

Meise Botanic Garden

Vicia sativa, known as the common vetch, garden vetch, tare or simply vetch, is a nitrogen-fixing leguminous plant in the family Fabaceae. It is now naturalised throughout the world occurring on every continent, except Antarctica and the Arctic. The centre of diversity is thought to be the Fertile Crescent, although gold standard molecular confirmation is currently not available. Global common vetch cultivation is limited due to anti-nutritional compounds in the seed although it is grown in dryland agricultural zones in Australia, China and Ethiopia due to its drought tolerance and very low nutrient requirements compared to other legumes. In these agricultural zones common vetch is grown as a green manure, livestock fodder or rotation crop. In cultivated grainfields, like lentils, it is often considered a weed due to downgrading of harvested mixed grain, resulting in farmers receiving less financial returns.

Description

A herbaceous legume in the Fabaceae family found in tropical regions. This is one of approximately 140 Vicia species.

This description is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Malawi,

Notes

There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate. Also as Papilionaceae.

Synonyms

Vicia abyssinica Alef.

References (2)

  • Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 45, 201 (As Vicia abyssinica)
  • Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 80 (As Vicia abyssinica)

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