Vicia disperma
Two-seeded vetch, Two-Seeded Vetch
(c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉 · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Vicia disperma (Two-seeded vetch) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by very small flowers and Bay Area restriction.
Two-seeded vetch is a naturalized annual found in the San Francisco Bay Area on roadsides and urban areas at elevations below 760 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces blue flowers about 3.5 to 5 millimeters long in small clusters near the leaf tips. Growing with sprawling stems 20 to 60 centimeters long that are glabrous or slightly hairy, it has a delicate, spreading habit. Its compound leaves contain 12 to 20 oblong-elliptic leaflets, each 7 to 18 millimeters long with rounded tips that often end in a small point. The fruit is a pod 10 to 20 millimeters long, containing just two seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; very small flowers and Bay Area restriction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides, urban weed
Elevation: < 760 m
California counties: Alameda, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, San Mateo, El Dorado
Outside California: southeastern United States, Australia, native to Europe
Bloom period
Vicia disperma blooms Mar-May.
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 disperma native to California?
No. Vicia disperma is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Vicia disperma bloom?
Vicia disperma blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Vicia disperma grow?
Vicia disperma occurs in Alameda, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, San Mateo, El Dorado, at elevations of < 760 m.
What plant family does Vicia disperma belong to?
Vicia disperma is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vicia.
What habitat does Vicia disperma grow in?
Vicia disperma grows in Roadsides, urban weed.
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.