The sand vetch (Vicia sepium) is a popular fodder plant because of its high protein content. Flowers and leaves of this wild herb are very aromatic and also edible for humans. In this plant profile we have summarized all the important characteristics of the vetch so that you can identify it easily.
What are the characteristics of the fence vetch?
The sand vetch (Vicia sepium) is a perennial, herbaceous plant that grows up to 50 cm high and is found in Central Europe in nutrient-rich meadows and light-flooded forests. It has pinnate leaves, butterfly-shaped flowers in red-violet to cloudy blue and develops elongated, black seed pods.
Dissemination
The sand vetch is very common in Central Europe. It prefers to thrive on nutrient-rich meadows and in light-flooded mixed forests. In the Allgäu Alps, the sand vetch can be found at altitudes of up to 2,100 meters; the pretty wildflower loves alkaline, nitrogen-rich soils.
Growth habit:
The sand vetch thrives as a perennial herbaceous perennial that forms long runners. With the help of the leaf tendrils it climbs fences and plants up to fifty centimeters, so that it can reach considerable heights.
Leaves:
The pinnate leaves consist of at least four to eight pairs of alternate leaflets that have the shape of a lancet. They usually have soft hair on the underside. At the end of each leaf there is a more or less developed tendril.
Flowers:
The sand vetch is a butterfly family plant. There are two to five individual flowers in each leaf axil. The flowers are composed of five sepals. Inside there is the ovary, which has grown together to form a surrounding tube. The flower color ranges from red-violet to cloudy blue, occasionally white.
Fruits and seeds
The flowers form elongated pods that are about three centimeters long and seven millimeters wide. When young, these are covered with a fine fuzz of hair; the ripe pods are bald and shiny black. Inside there are three to six spherical seeds. Their color can be reddish, yellowish, brownish or gray. The seeds are often darkly spotted.
Special features
In warm, humid weather, the sand vetch produces a lot of nectar. Ants are magically attracted to the sweet juice and can then be found in abundance on the vetch.
The petals of the vetch are very thick and can only be opened by strong insects such as bumblebees. You can often observe bumblebees on the plant, which act as nectar robbers. The animals simply bite open the cup and the crown to get the coveted food. The sweet juice comes out of the remaining holes, which honey bees then feast on.
Tip
The delicate flowers of the sand vetch are not only decorative, but extremely tasty. They are suitable as a natural decoration for dishes and are an aromatic addition to salads.
