Vicia hassei
Slender vetch, Slender Vetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Vicia hassei (Slender vetch) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by small native annual with distinctive toothed leaflet tips.
Slender vetch is a California native annual found in coastal regions including coastal west and southwestern California in coastal scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate lavender to white flowers in small clusters of one to two blooms. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall that branch at the base, it has a slender, spreading growth habit. Its compound leaves feature 4 to 10 narrow leaflets, each 5 to 25 millimeters long, with truncate or slightly notched tips. The fruit develops as an oblong pod 2 to 3 centimeters long with a slightly hairy surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; small native annual with distinctive toothed leaflet tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Marin, Orange, Riverside, Kern, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Humboldt, Napa, San Joaquin, Fresno, Mendocino, Yolo, San Francisco
Outside California: to southern Oregon, Baja California
Bloom period
Vicia hassei 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 hassei native to California?
Yes. Vicia hassei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Vicia hassei bloom?
Vicia hassei blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Vicia hassei grow?
Vicia hassei occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Marin, Orange, Riverside, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Vicia hassei belong to?
Vicia hassei is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vicia.
What habitat does Vicia hassei grow in?
Vicia hassei grows in Coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland.
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.