Vicia nipponica — Edible Plant | Edible Plant Database

Summary

Perennial vetch reaching 0.8 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers self-fertile and pollinated by insects. Fixes nitrogen in soil. Establishes in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH ranges, growing in semi-shade or full sun and preferring consistently moist soil.

Description

Perennial vetch reaching 0.8 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers self-fertile and pollinated by insects. Fixes nitrogen in soil. Establishes in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH ranges, growing in semi-shade or full sun and preferring consistently moist soil.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are edible and best eaten cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

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.