Vetches
August 10, 2015
Vicia spp.
Life cycle
Climbing or trailing annual, biennial or perennial vines.
Leaves
Alternate, pinnately compound with several pairs of opposite, narrowly oblong leaflets. The terminal leaflet is modified into a branched, twining tendril used to climb.

Twining tendril of vetch.
Stems
Ascending, climbing or trailing stems are herbaceous but may become woody with age.

Pinnately compound leaf of vetch.
Flowers and fruit
Blue, purple or reddish pea-like flowers are borne on short stalks in the upper leaf axils or found crowded along one side of long, bare stalks. Fruit are variously sized pea-like pods.

Vetch flowers (left). Pea-like pods of vetch (right).
Reproduction
Seeds or rhizomes.
Print a PDF of this page: Vetches
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Financial Manual for 4-H Volunteers
Published on August 1, 2024
-
Financial Manual for 4-H Treasurers
Published on August 1, 2024
-
Join 4-H!
Published on December 21, 2015
-
Michigan 4-H Foundation
Published on May 19, 2016
-
4-H Virtual Farm
Published on March 27, 2015
-
New Michigan 4-H Science Expo offers future scientists a chance to showcase their skills
Published on June 29, 2017
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.