Vicia orobus (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Family: Fabaceae
Vicia orobus is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with an erect habit. Its dark green leaves are pinnate with up to 15 leaflets. Its leaflets are elliptic with entire margins. Its white/ purple flowers are up to 15mm long and borne in groups of up to 20. Its fruit.
Vicia orobus Flower (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Vicia orobus, commonly known as Wood Bitter Vetch, is native to Atlantic areas of Europe, including the UK. In its native habitat it grows at the edge of woodland, heaths and meadows. Vicia orobus has suffered a decline in its native habitat due to overgrazing and grassland improvement.
The etymological root of the binomial name Vicia is from the Latin name for Vetch. Orobus is from the Greek, being a generic name for Vicia ervilia.
The landscape architect may find Vicia orobus useful as part of a native wild flower mix or a native planting mix at the edge of woodlands.
Vicia orobus Leaf (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Vicia orobus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Vicia orobus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Vicia orobus requires little maintenance.
