Forage Identification: Hairy vetch

Department of Plant Sciences

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)

Adaptation:
Winter annual. More winter tolerant than Common vetch. Well suited to sandy soils, but it does not tolerate drought. More acid tolerant than most legumes.

Hairy vetch

Growth Habitat:
Winter annual. Erect.

Hairy vetch

Plant Characteristics:
Pinnately multifoliolate terminating in a tendril; small, pointed stipules; pubescent leaflets elliptical to lance shaped. Blue-violet 20-32 florets in long racemes. Compound leafs with narrow leaflets.

Hairy vetch flower

Seed Characteristics:
Spherical shape, mottled-brown, black, gray.

Hairy vetch seeds

Important Identifying Characteristics:
Hairy vetch has a vine structure and its stems grow from 2 to 4 inches in length. Blue-violet 20-32 florets in long racemes.

 

Primary Uses:
Pasture, hay, silage (with small grain companion) and green manure.

 
 
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