Vicia

Vicia is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, commonly known as vetches. The genus comprises about 140–200 species, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with some species extending into tropical mountains and arid regions.

Vicia species are annual or perennial herbaceous plants that climb or scramble. Leaves are pinnate with several pairs of leaflets and a terminal tendril. Flowers are papilionaceous and range in color from purple and violet to blue and white. The fruit is a slender or flattened legume pod containing several seeds. Vicia species are morphologically diverse, and growth forms can vary from low groundcover to vigorous climbing vines.

Vicia belongs to Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae, tribe Fabeae. It is closely related to Pisum (peas) and Lathyrus (sweet peas). The best-known species is Vicia sativa, the common vetch, widely grown as a forage crop. Vicia faba, the broad bean or faba bean, is also placed in Vicia in many classifications, though some treatments treat it as a separate grouping.

Ecology and uses: Vicia species fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules formed with Rhizobium bacteria, contributing to soil fertility. They are used as green manures and cover crops, helping improve soil structure and nutrient content. Several species serve as forage for livestock, and some are grown ornamentally for climbing habit and flowers. In agricultural settings, wild or weedy vetches can sometimes compete with crops or persist as ground cover.