Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Moench - Lentil Vetch
Family - Fabaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
N/A
Flowers:
Flowering - March - June.
Habitat - Fields, roadsides, waste places, disturbed sites.
Origin - Native to Europe.
Other information - This weedy species can be found scattered throughout most of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its pinnately divided leaves (which have paired tendrils at their apices), angled stems, minute flowers, and short-stipitate fruits. The peduncles of the flowers exceed the leaves and are terminated by 1-3 flowers.
The genus name Vicia is the old Latin name for the genus.
The species epithet tetrasperma derives from the Greek "tetr" meaning "four" and "sperm(a)" meaning "seed" referring to the usual four seeds per fruit.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Lee Rd 54, Auburn, AL., 4-9-05.