Vicia narbonensis

Vicia narbonensis, called Narbon bean, Narbon vetch, Narbonne vetch and moor's pea, is a widely distributed species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Madeira and the Mediterranean countries through to Central Asia and the western Himalayas, and has been introduced to central and eastern Europe, and scattered other locations. It has some palatability issues, but has potential as a green manure and forage crop, and for its beans. It is the namesake of the Vicia narbonensis species complex.

Description

A herb. It is similar to broad bean. It is a short hairy annual plant. The stems are robust but not climbing. The leaves have 2-3 pairs of oblong leaflets. The lower leaves do not have tendrils. The leaflets and stipule may or may not have teeth. The flowers are white with purple veins or all purple. They are 20-30 mm long. The flowers occur singly or in pairs. The pods are black or brown and 30-70 mm long.

Edible Uses

Seeds are cooked and considered to be of excellent quality, used as a vegetable. An additional use is reported though the plant part involved is not specified — it is likely to be the leaves.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are cooked as a snack and are also eaten raw or roasted. The fresh pods are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in both cultivated and waste places.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, Sicily, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA,

Cultivation

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 is probably the parent of the cultivated broad bean, V. faba. 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. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

Propagation

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

Other Uses

Can be grown as a green manure. Functions as a nitrogen fixer.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

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

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bakile jispa, Burraideh, Collik, Colliki genni, Ful iblis, Kalikakoz, Lovike hispa, Moor's pea, Narbon bean, Sakil, Sokile ga

References (19)

• Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., et al, 2008, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 4: 13
• Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 90
• Demir, I. & Ayaz, N., 2022, Wild edible plants contributing to the traditional foods of Mardin (Turkey) Province. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 21(3), July 2022, pp 569-582
• Ertug, F., 2000, An Ethnobotanical Study in Central Anatolia (Turkey). Economic Botany Vol. 54. No. 2. pp. 155-182

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