Could this be the commonest Vetch in the world? I wouldn't be surprised. It is found all over Europe, North America as an introduction in South Africa and both Eastern and Western Australia, Japan and dotted around Asia and south America. The reason is suggested by its common name: it was imported to various countries and used as a fodder crop and to stabilise some earthworks.

There are various sub species but Stace casts doubt on their taxonomic status so although this is identified originally as ssp microphylla, on these pages just Vicia villosa will do. The wings of this pea plant can be the same purple colour as the standard or much paler or even white and the main colour can be blue as well as purple.

Vicia villosa Fodder Vetch Countryside near Ano Stallos, Crete, 8th April 2007 Previous   Next	Vicia villosa Fodder Vetch Countryside near Ano Stallos, Crete, 8th April 2007 Previous   Next
Vicia villosa Fodder Vetch	Vicia villosa Fodder Vetch

Countryside near Ano Stallos, Crete, 8th April 2007

Added on August 6th 2018