Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
sicula
ID:
213468

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Raf.) Guss.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1844

Citation Micro:
Fl. Sicul. Syn.2: 292 (1844)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000212797



Common Names

  • Vicia sicula
  • Sicilian Vetch
  • Italian Vetch


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Synonyms

  • Orobus fischeri Sweet [valid]
  • Orobus atropurpureus Desf. [valid]
  • Vicia seguenzae A.Huet ex Nyman [invalid]
  • Orobus siculus Raf. [valid]

Description

Vicia sicula (also called Sicilian Vetch, among many other common names) is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean region. It has slender stems, pinnate leaves and small, white flowers. It grows in meadows, grasslands, and roadsides.

Uses & Benefits

Vicia sicula is used as an ornamental plant and as a forage crop for livestock.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Vicia sicula has small, purple flowers with four petals and a yellow center. The seed is small, round, and black. The seedlings are thin and delicate.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Vicia sicula is a hardy annual that is easy to grow from seed. Sow the seeds in the spring, in a sunny spot, in well-drained soil. The seeds should be sown about 1/4 inch deep. The plants will grow to a height of about 18 inches and will produce white flowers in the summer. The plants should be thinned to about 8 inches apart. Deadheading the flowers will help to encourage more blooms. The plants can be propagated by division in the spring.

Where to Find Vicia sicula

Vicia sicula can be found in dry, sandy soils in the western United States, from California to Nebraska and east to Texas.

Vicia sicula FAQ

What is the scientific name of Vicia sicula?

Vicia sicula

What is the common name of Vicia sicula?

Sicilian Vetch

What is the growth habit of Vicia sicula?

It is an annual herb

Species in the Vicia genus

Vicia hassei, Vicia lomensis, Vicia ocalensis, Vicia setifolia, Vicia epetiolaris, Vicia macrograminea, Vicia pampicola, Vicia acutifolia, Vicia americana, Vicia andicola, Vicia bijuga, Vicia caroliniana, Vicia humilis, Vicia leucophaea, Vicia linearifolia, Vicia magellanica, Vicia menziesii, Vicia minutiflora, Vicia montevidensis, Vicia nana, Vicia nigricans, Vicia pallida, Vicia pulchella, Vicia stenophylla, Vicia vicina, Vicia peruviana, Vicia andina, Vicia sessei, Vicia tetrasperma, Vicia graminea, Vicia balansae, Vicia michauxii, Vicia pseudo-orobus, Vicia hyrcanica, Vicia amurensis, Vicia splendens, Vicia alpestris, Vicia ciceroidea, Vicia multijuga, Vicia megalotropis, Vicia cassia, Vicia cypria, Vicia kalakhensis, Vicia eristalioides, Vicia mollis, Vicia hyaeniscyamus, Vicia johannis, Vicia parviflora, Vicia tenuissima, Vicia kotschyana,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Giovanni Gussone (1787-1866): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Guss.' in the authors string.
Constantine Samuel Rafinesque (1783-1840): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Raf.' in the authors string.