Vining, nitrogen-fixing winter annual or shortlived perennial legume with soft woolly stems and leaves and purple flowers. Adapted to a wide range of well-drained soils; intolerant of acidity and salinity. Suited to wetter soils and colder winters than most other winter-active legumes. More drought tolerant than other vetches. Fast growth for hay, pasture, silage or green manure. Highly palatable and nutritious. Often grown with annual forage grasses as climbing structure and to improve hay quality. Also use as a self-perpetuating, weed-smothering cover crop, in agricultural rotations and in orchards and vineyards. Attractive seed and nesting cover to doves, pheasants, quail and pigeons. Attracts bumblebees and beneficial insects. May become weedy, invading nearby areas; till, cut or graze before seed-set where necessary.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Fabaceae

Duration: Annual/Biennial/Perennial

Growth Habit: Forb

Native Status: Introduced

Growth Form:

Mature Height:  24in. - 60in.

Bloom Color:

Bloom Period:

Annual Precipitation:  in.

Drought Tolerance:

Shade Tolerance:

Fire Resistance:

Fire Tolerance:

Nitrogen fixation:

Bloat:

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture:

Medium Texture:

Fine Texture:

Salinity Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance:

pH Range:

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound:

Seeding Rate: lbs/acre

Season:

Days to Germination: