Vicia benghalensis
Purple vetch
(c) Lisa Bennett, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lisa Bennett · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Vicia benghalensis (Purple vetch) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by lopsided calyx and flower shape.
Purple vetch is a naturalized annual found in coastal and valley regions of California, including the North Coast, Sacramento Valley, Central Western, and Southwestern areas, in grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed areas at elevations below 1,372 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces dark or red-purple flowers 12 to 18 millimeters long, clustered on one side of the flower axis. Growing with sprawling or climbing hairy stems 1 to 2 meters long, it has a distinctive climbing habit that allows it to spread across the landscape. Its leaves feature 10 to 16 elliptic to oblong leaflets, each 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, with widely lanceolate stipules that have entire or slightly toothed lower lobes. The fruit is a densely hairy pod 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters long and 8 to 12 millimeters wide, further characterizing this adaptable introduced species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; key features are lopsided calyx and flower shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, roadsides, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1372 m
California counties: Sonoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Sutter, San Mateo, Monterey, Marin, Mendocino, Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Napa, Sacramento, Kern, Tehama, Solano, Nevada, Yolo, Butte, El Dorado, Placer, Fresno, Ventura, San Bernardino, Trinity, Glenn, Colusa, Alameda, Orange, Alpine, Mariposa, Santa Clara, Yuba, Tulare
Outside California: sporadic to eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Vicia benghalensis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lathyrus: Vicia style is round and hairy all around; Lathyrus style is flattened with hairs only on top.; vs Astragalus: Vicia has tendrils at leaf tips; Astragalus leaves end in a leaflet with no tendril.; vs Pisum: Vicia has many leaflets and tiny stipules; Pisum has 4-6 leaflets and giant stipules.; vs Salvia: Vicia has pea flowers and tendril-tipped leaves; Salvia has tubular two-lipped flowers and simple leaves.; vs Lupinus: Vicia has tendril-tipped pinnate leaves; Lupinus has palmate leaves radiating from one point.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vicia benghalensis native to California?
No. Vicia benghalensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Vicia benghalensis bloom?
Vicia benghalensis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Vicia benghalensis grow?
Vicia benghalensis occurs in Sonoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Sutter, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 1372 m.
What plant family does Vicia benghalensis belong to?
Vicia benghalensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vicia.
What habitat does Vicia benghalensis grow in?
Vicia benghalensis grows in Grassland, roadsides, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.