Vicia japonica
A. Gray
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) V.S. Volkotrub, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by V.S. Volkotrub
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Tatjana Koroteeva, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) zvenelka, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Perennial vetch reaching 1.5 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Blooms June to August with seeds ripening August to September. Self-fertile and capable of nitrogen fixation. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to basic pH ranges in semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions.
Description
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60-120 cm tall. The stems can be climbing or trailing. The leaves are 5-15 cm long and have 5-8 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 10-30 mm long by 6-14 mm wide. The flowers are in groups of 7-15 and are blue or purple. The pod is 15-25 mm long and has 1-3 seeds.
Edible Uses
Young leaves are edible and best eaten cooked.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In northern China it grows on hill slopes and riverbanks between 600-3,700 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,
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. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in situ in spring or autumn. Can also be propagated by division in spring.
Other Uses
Functions as a nitrogen fixer.
Notes
There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts new ser., 6:385. 1859
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 121-143).
