Vicia narbonensis aka French Vetch

Vicia narbonensis belongs to Fabaceae, the pea and bean family. Its common names include French vetch and purple broad vetch. Its native range runs from Madeira across the Mediterranean region. It extends east into Central Asia and the western Himalaya. This range includes parts of southern Europe and North Africa. It also covers western Asia and parts of Pakistan. The species is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant has a scrambling habit and reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. PFAF describes it as an annual. Kew records it as an annual or perennial. Its habitats include thickets, damp fields, and ditches. These records place it in both open and sheltered sites. The supplied sources give no species-level details about leaf shape or bark. They also give no flower colour, bloom dates, or fruit description. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the plant is self-fertile.

Grow French vetch in soil that drains well but stays moist. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. It also grows across mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. A sunny site suits it when soil moisture stays steady. Where soil dries out, PFAF recommends partial shade instead. The evidence gives no frost limit or hardiness zone. For propagation, soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Then sow them where they will grow, in spring or autumn. PFAF lists cultivated beds as a place to grow it.

Root bacteria form nodules and help the plant use nitrogen from the air. Some of this nitrogen can also benefit nearby plants. PFAF lists the species for use as green manure. At season's end, remove the top growth but leave the roots. As those roots decay, they release nitrogen into the soil. This gives the plant a role beyond its food use. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases. PFAF does not flag it as a weed risk.

PFAF lists cooked seeds as edible and gives edibility two out of five. It also lists leaves, but says the vegetable-use reports lack clear detail. Treat that leaf-use claim as uncertain. PFAF reports no known hazards, rather than proof of complete safety. It records no known medicinal use.