Vicia articulata aka One Flower Vetch

Vicia articulata, or one-flower vetch, belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is an annual that reaches about 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Its native range runs from Madeira through the Mediterranean to Iraq. Kew places it in the temperate biome. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The names Ervum monanthos and Vicia monanthos are synonyms.

In Turkey, it grows in pine woods and on rocky limestone slopes. It also occurs in scrub and meadows. These records span elevations of 164–2,625 feet [50–800 metres]. Its flowers have both male and female organs. Insects pollinate them, and the plant is also self-fertile. The supplied species records give no details of flower colour or leaf shape. They also give no flowering dates or frost limits.

In gardens, give it soil that drains well but stays moist. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. A sunny site suits it when moisture lasts through the growing season. Where that is not possible, Plants For A Future recommends partial shade. Suggested sites include growing beds and the sunny edge of woodland.

This vetch has a useful link with soil bacteria. The bacteria form root nodules and fix nitrogen from the air. The plant uses some of that nitrogen as it grows. Nearby plants may benefit from some of it too. Gardeners can grow the species as a green manure crop. At season’s end, remove the top growth and leave the roots. Their decay releases nitrogen into the soil. These uses give it value beyond its seed crop.

The seeds are edible after cooking and can serve like lentils. Plants For A Future records seed cultivation in France. Its food-use rating is low, at one out of five. The source reports no known hazards or medicinal uses. That does not establish safety for every person or animal. It lists the plant as having no weed potential. For propagation, soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Then sow them directly where they will grow in spring. An autumn sowing may also work, but the source is less certain.