Vicia tetrasperma
Sparrow vetch, Sparrow Vetch
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Vicia tetrasperma (Sparrow vetch) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive thread-like curved flower stalks and tiny pods.
Sparrow vetch is a naturalized annual plant found in coastal regions of California, including northern coastal, central coastal, and San Francisco Bay areas, in disturbed habitats at elevations below 610 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pale lavender to light purple flowers small and delicate, typically 1 to 3 blooms per inflorescence. Growing with slender, decumbent or climbing stems 10 to 50 centimeters long, it has a graceful, sprawling growth habit. Its compound leaves feature 4 to 10 linear to elliptic leaflets, each 6 to 20 millimeters long, with entire stipules. The fruit is a glabrous pod 10 to 13 millimeters long with a rounded tip and slightly reflexed style.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; distinctive thread-like curved flower stalks and tiny pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 610 m
California counties: Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, San Mateo, Sacramento, Ventura, Nevada, Santa Cruz, Napa, San Diego, Monterey
Outside California: United States, southern Canada, native to Europe
Bloom period
Vicia tetrasperma blooms Apr-Jul.
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 tetrasperma native to California?
No. Vicia tetrasperma is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Vicia tetrasperma bloom?
Vicia tetrasperma blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Vicia tetrasperma grow?
Vicia tetrasperma occurs in Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, San Mateo, Sacramento, Ventura, Nevada, Santa Cruz and other counties, at elevations of < 610 m.
What plant family does Vicia tetrasperma belong to?
Vicia tetrasperma is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vicia.
What habitat does Vicia tetrasperma grow in?
Vicia tetrasperma grows in 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.