Vetch
Description: Sprawling annual or perennial legumes
with compound leaves having numerous small leaflets. The
end of the stem has branched tendrils. Flowers
appear pea-like with colors ranging from white to yellow
to violet to reddish-purple. Of the 20 species
in the southeast, about half are introduced species. Will
reseed year after year.
Wildlife value: Seeds are used by gamebirds and songbirds
in late spring. White-tailed deer and Northern bobwhite
eat the leaves and stems, as well as Eastern cottontail
and wild turkey. The plant serves as a larval food
source for several butterflies. |
