Purple Vetch
Vicia benghalensis
- Native to:
- Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Corse, France, Greece, Italy, Madeira, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Vicia
- Species:
- Vicia benghalensis
- USDA Symbol:
- VIBE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink, red
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- moderate moisture
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions with variable soil types
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification or soaking in warm water for 12-24 hours improves germination. Seeds germinate readily in warm soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI