American Vetch (Vicia americana)
American Vetch’s showy flowers are an important species for native pollinators (USDA). It is the host plant to the Eastern Tailed-Blue, Silvery Blue, Clouded Sulphur, and 6 more butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). American Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing vine often used to rehabilitate areas. I struggled to find much more information on its faunal interactions. This plant has a tap root and rhizomes, so plant placement must be considered. When not in bloom, American Vetch plants with rounded leaflets might be mistaken for Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia), but Crown Vetch has no tendril at the end and its stems are leafier, plus Crown Vetch has round flower clusters.
Photo credit: Bureau of land management and John Blair
American Vetch’s showy flowers are an important species for native pollinators (USDA). It is the host plant to the Eastern Tailed-Blue, Silvery Blue, Clouded Sulphur, and 6 more butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). American Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing vine often used to rehabilitate areas. I struggled to find much more information on its faunal interactions. This plant has a tap root and rhizomes, so plant placement must be considered. When not in bloom, American Vetch plants with rounded leaflets might be mistaken for Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia), but Crown Vetch has no tendril at the end and its stems are leafier, plus Crown Vetch has round flower clusters.
Photo credit: Bureau of land management and John Blair
American Vetch’s showy flowers are an important species for native pollinators (USDA). It is the host plant to the Eastern Tailed-Blue, Silvery Blue, Clouded Sulphur, and 6 more butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). American Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing vine often used to rehabilitate areas. I struggled to find much more information on its faunal interactions. This plant has a tap root and rhizomes, so plant placement must be considered. When not in bloom, American Vetch plants with rounded leaflets might be mistaken for Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia), but Crown Vetch has no tendril at the end and its stems are leafier, plus Crown Vetch has round flower clusters.
Photo credit: Bureau of land management and John Blair
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full-Partial shade
Soil Moisture: Medium/wet – Dry
Height: 1-3 feet
Plant Spacing: 2-3 feet
Bloom Time: May-Sept
Bloom Color: Purple to bluish
Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite (USDA)
Host Plant: 19 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
