Vicia cracca aka Bird Vetch

Vicia cracca is a perennial climber in the pea family, Fabaceae. Its names include tufted vetch, bird vetch, and cow vetch. Its native range spans northern Europe and northern Asia to Japan. It is native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in grassy places and among bushes. Meadows and hedgerows provide settings for this plant.

The plant scrambles over nearby growth, gripping with leaf tendrils. Garden plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres] tall. Their spread is about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. They reach full size within one to two years. Many pairs of green leaflets line each divided leaf. Tendrils take the place of the final pair of leaflets. The foliage is deciduous, rather than staying green year-round. Small, purple-blue flowers have the form of pea flowers. They crowd along one side of each flower stem. Seed pods follow the flowers.

Grow it in moist soil that lets excess water drain. It accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sand. The RHS lists tolerance of acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Plants For A Future notes that wild plants avoid acid soils. Full sun suits it, though it also accepts partial shade. The RHS recommends a sheltered site. Its H6 rating indicates hardiness across Britain and northern Europe. Plants For A Future gives USDA zones 4–8. Sow seeds outdoors where the plants will grow. Choose sun or light shade for sowing.

Tufted vetch suits wildflower meadows and gardens managed for wildlife. Root nodules fix nitrogen from the air and help enrich soil. Growers can also use the plant as a green manure. Plants For A Future describes its use in nutrient-rich mulch. The RHS says it needs no pruning. It also reports few problems with pests or diseases. These traits keep routine care simple once the plant has settled.

Plants For A Future gives its food value a low rating. It records cooked seeds, either boiled or roasted, as edible. It also lists cooked leaves and young stems as greens. The leaves can serve as a tea substitute. The same source reports no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for pets. It records a traditional use of the cooked plant to promote milk production.