Vetchling

Vetchling is a common name applied to several herbaceous plants in the legume family, particularly species in the genera Vicia and Lathyrus. The term is often used for annual or perennial vetches that are grown for forage or used as ground cover, and it can refer to species such as common vetch (Vicia sativa) and yellow vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca).

Vetchlings are typically climbing or scrambling herbs, sometimes trailing. They bear pinnate leaves with one to four pairs of leaflets and a terminal tendril. Flowers are pea-like, usually arranged in racemes, and can be purple, violet, blue, or yellow depending on the species. The fruit is a slender pod containing several seeds.

They are native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with widespread cultivation and naturalization in other parts of the world. Vetchlings commonly occur in fields, meadows, hedgerows, roadsides, and disturbed ground. As members of the legume family, they form symbiotic nodules with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, contributing to soil fertility.

Uses and management vary by species. They are widely grown as forage for livestock, as green manure, or as cover crops to improve soil structure. Some species can be weedy or persistent in pastures or disturbed habitats, spreading by seed. Cultivation generally favors well-drained soils, adequate moisture, and sunny to partially shaded locations. Climbing types may require support, while ground-hugging forms grow readily without staking.