Vicia tetrasperma (syn. Ervum tetraspermum)[1] the smooth tare, smooth vetch, lentil vetch or sparrow vetch, is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae.

Vicia tetrasperma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Fabeae
Genus: Vicia
Species:
V. tetrasperma
Binomial name
Vicia tetrasperma
Synonyms

Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Moench
Ervum tetraspermum L.

Description

edit

Vicia tetrasperma is an annual plant growing up to 60 cm (24 in) tall. The leaflets are 10 to 20 mm (0.39 to 0.79 in) and are in four to six pairs, the leaf ending with a simple tendril. The pale blue flowers are in racemes of one or two flowers, each about 4 mm (0.16 in) long. Four seeds are produced in a pod 12 to 15 mm (0.47 to 0.59 in) long.[2] The pod is dehiscent.

Distribution

edit

This vetch is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it can be found on other continents as an introduced species. It can be invasive.[3]

Habitat

edit

Grassy places, local.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Clive Stace, New Flora of the British Isles, 4th edition 2019, p 171
  2. ^ a b Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968. Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0 521 04656 4
  3. ^ "Vicia tetrasperma (Four-seeded vetch): Go Botany".
edit