Vicia sativa L. var. sativa

Garden Vetch

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Found in almost every county in Alabama, Common Vetch is often seen on roadsides, along railroads, and in fallow fields. Two subspecies of this plant occur in Alabama. Notice the ants on the plant. Many vetches produce extra-floral nectaries. These glands are located on the petioles and produce a sugary secretion that attracts the ants. The ants in turn help protect the plant from herbivores such as moth and butterfly larvae by removing their eggs or killing the caterpillars.--A. Diamond

**

Not Native

**