Vicia pseudo-orobus
Fischer & C. A. Meyer
False sweet pea
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Summary
A perennial climbing vetch growing to 1.5 m with flowers from June to September and seed maturation from August to October. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile with insect pollination. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage and mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Tolerates both dry and moist soils and grows in semi-shade or open conditions. Nitrogen-fixing capability enhances soil fertility.
Description
A climber. It grows 50-200 cm high. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There is a tendril at the end. There are 4-10 leaflets and they are 3-6 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are purple. There are several flowers in groups in the axils of leaves. The pod is flat and 3 cm long. There are 1 or 2 seeds.
Edible Uses
Young stems and leaves are eaten cooked.
Traditional Uses
The young shoots are eaten as a potherb.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests, pastures and on limestone areas between 400-3,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
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 seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in situ in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
Fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
Notes
There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 487
- Index sem. hort. petrop. 1:41. 1835
- 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).
