Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2975287

Tufted Vetch

Vicia cracca

Also known as Cow Vetch, Bird Vetch, Blue Vetch, Boreal Vetch

Tufted vetch forms dense, tangled mats over surrounding vegetation, using branched leaf-tip tendrils to anchor its slender climbing stems. Dense one-sided spikes of twenty or more brilliant blue-violet pea flowers bloom through summer, attracting long-tongued bumblebees and butterflies. Like many members of the pea family, its roots host symbiotic bacteria that enrich the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen.

ClimbingWildflowerNitrogen Fixer
Tufted Vetch reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceThe original uploader was Sannse at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Bumblebees
  • Livestock
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsHabitat loss, intensive mowing, weed suppression
HabitatsMeadows, hedgerows, roadsides, disturbed soils
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. OrderFabales
  2. FamilyFabaceae
  3. GenusVicia
  4. SpeciesVicia cracca
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Identification Cue: Look for one-sided flower spikes bearing 10 to 30 tiny purple pea-like blossoms.
  • Climbing Style: Observe how the coiled leaf tendrils wrap tightly around grass stems for physical support.
  • Pollinator Activity: Watch for long-tongued bumblebees prying open the keeled petals to reach nectar.
Related species
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