Vicia gigantea

Hook.

Giant vetch

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds, Caution 5,047 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Perennial vetch growing to 1 m tall, hardy to UK zone 5. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile flowers pollinated by insects. Nitrogen-fixing species tolerating light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acidic to basic pH soils, semi-shade to full sun, preferring moist conditions.

Description

A succulent climbing herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1-2 m tall. The stems are soft, ridged and green. The leaves are compound. They have 19-29 long leaflets. These are 2-4 cm long. They form 2 rows along the central stem. There is a tendril at the end. The flowers are pea-like. They can be pale or purple. They are in clusters of 6 to 14. The ripe pods are 2-5 cm long. They are like pea pods and black. They contain 3 or 4 round seeds.

Edible Uses

Young seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds grow in pods 2–5cm long, with each pod containing 3–4 round seeds roughly the size of small peas. When young they can be eaten like green peas, though even young seeds have a fairly strong flavour similar to old garden peas. Some Native North American tribes considered the seeds poisonous, while others ate them as a snack. One method was to harvest the pods while still green and roast them over an open fire until the pods began to split, then remove and eat the seeds.

Traditional Uses

The seeds have been roasted and eaten. Caution: The seeds may be poisonous and should be eaten with caution.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The roots are laxative. An infusion of the roots has also been used as a tonic hair wash and anti-dandruff treatment.

Distribution

It grows coastal areas. It can be inland in moist forest clearings.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a fairly heavy loam but succeeds in a sunny position in most soils that are well-drained. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in situ in spring or autumn.

Other Uses

An infusion of the roots can be used as a tonic hair wash and anti-dandruff treatment. The plant also acts as a nitrogen fixer and dynamic accumulator.

Notes

There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate.

Synonyms

V. nigricans gigantea. (Hook.)Lassetter.&Gunn.

References (6)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Fl. bor.-amer. 1:157. 1831
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 677
Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1875
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references