Vicia sativa
Spring vetch
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Vicia sativa (Spring vetch) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by range data unclear but no sympatric species listed.
Spring vetch is a naturalized annual herb found in disturbed areas and agricultural landscapes. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small purple to pink flowers clustered in groups of 1 to 3 on short stalks. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 10 to 60 centimeters long, it forms a sprawling or slightly climbing habit. Its compound leaves feature 8 to 14 leaflets, each 15 to 35 millimeters long with acute or notched tips, often accompanied by toothed leaf stipules. The plant produces elongated seed pods 2.5 to 6 centimeters long that are initially hairy but become smooth as they mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; range data unclear but no sympatric species listed
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Sonoma, Butte, Sutter, Santa Cruz, Napa, San Joaquin, Marin, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Bernardino, Riverside, Tulare, Del Norte, Fresno, Solano, Monterey, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Placer, Amador, Shasta, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Lake
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 sativa native to California?
No. Vicia sativa is not native to California (recorded as not native).
Where in California does Vicia sativa grow?
Vicia sativa occurs in San Diego, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Sonoma, Butte and other counties.
What plant family does Vicia sativa belong to?
Vicia sativa is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vicia.
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.