Edge/ Narrow-leaved Vetch

COMMON NAME: Narrow-Leaved Vetch

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vicia augustifolia

FAMILY: Fabaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: Herbaceous vine

FLOWERING TIME: June to September

FRUITING TIME: August to September

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout North America ~ Coastal Plain and Hunterdon County in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Slender vine, often climbing ~ Leaves linear to narrowly elliptic ~ Tendril at end of leaves  ~ Small dark flowers, tubular, 5 petals and 5 sepals ~ Legume 2-3 inches long, broad flat seeds

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Fabaceae) commonly called the Pea or Bean Family consists of 459 genera and 14,400 species of herbs, shrubs, vines and trees found in temperate, cold and tropical regions.  The family is of major economic importance, providing edible beans and peas for animals, ornamentals, and dyes. The seeds can be eaten as is or ground into flour. Narrow-Leaved Vetch is a weed of open, disturbed ground on railroad sides, roadsides, and fields.           

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.