Vicia sativa aka Common Vetch

Vicia sativa, also known as common vetch, garden vetch, tare, or simply vetch, is a nitrogen-fixing leguminous plant in the Fabaceae family. It is believed to be native to North Africa, Western Asia, and Europe but has now spread and naturalized in temperate and subtropical regions worldwide. While it is considered a weed in cultivated grainfields, this resilient plant is often cultivated as a green manure, livestock fodder, or rotation crop. Australia alone cultivates over 500,000 hectares (1,200,000 acres) of Vicia sativa each year. This downy, scrambling annual can reach a height of 75cm. Its leaves are composed of pairs of opposite leaflets that end with a tendril. From April to September, it produces cerise flowers in the typical pea shape, either borne singly or in pairs. Vicia sativa is known for its high nitrogen-fixing ability, especially when the seeds are inoculated with the appropriate rhizobium strain or when it has been previously sown in the field. It can provide nitrogen to companion crops in mixed pastures or to subsequent crops when sown alone. The leaflets of this plant are typically 5-7 mm wide and linear to lance-oblong in shape. Its flowers have a calyx tube of 4.5-5.5 mm and lobes of 3-4.5 mm, while the corolla measures 10-18 mm and can range from pink-purple to white. Its fruit is black, and the seeds are spherical and 2.5-4 mm wide. Common vetch can be found in various habitats, including roadsides, disturbed areas, grasslands, open areas in oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands. Its elevation range is below 1608 m. It is distributed in bioregions such as NCo, NCoRO, NCoRI, n&c SNF, GV, CW (excluding SCoRI), SCo, ChI, and PR. It is also found in southeastern United States and is native to Europe. Its flowering period is from March to June. It is worth noting that this plant may have poisonous qualities. To control common vetch, post-emergent two-, three-, and four-way broadleaf herbicides can be used. Effective herbicides contain triclopyr, clopyralid, or fluroxypyr products.