Status: Native
Synonyms:
Vicia americana Muhlenberg ex Willdenow var. linearis (Nuttall) S. Watson
Vicia americana Muhlenberg ex Willdenow var. minor Hooker
Vicia americana Muhlenberg ex Willdenow subsp. oregana (Nuttall) Abrams
Vicia americana Muhlenberg ex Willdenow var. truncata (Nuttall) Brewer
Vicia caespitosa A. Nelson
Vicia dissitfolia (Nuttall) Rydberg
Vicia linearis Nuttall
Vicia linearis Nuttall var. caespitosa (A. Nelson) A. Nelson
Vicia oregana Nuttall
Vicia sparsifolia Nuttall
Vicia americana is recognized by its pink and purple flowers and relatively large compound leaves which
are ovate. The leaflets are glabrous on both sides and the flowers are short pedicillate and 10-15mm long. It is a common perennial on upper elevation wooded slopes. The style on Vicia is hairy in a tuft below the apex, while on Lathyrus the style is hairy over much of its length. Compare with photos of Lathyrus graminifolius.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Vicia americana, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Black Range, McKnight Peak, July 21, 2008
Vicia americana, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman & the GNPS Field Trip to Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, Pinos Altos Range, May 17, 2009
Vicia americana, 2x field macro of style with hairy tuft restricted to just below the apex, photo Russ Kleinman & the GNPS Field Trip to Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, Pinos Altos Range, May 17, 2009
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