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Vicia caroliniana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
VIS-ee-uh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
Description

Wood Vetch is an attractive native wildflower that grows on dry soils across North Carolina. It may grow 1 to 2 feet tall. The leaves are pinnately compound and alternate with an entire margin and hairy underside. The stem is hollow, hairy, and slightly winged. Light pinkish-white, pea-like flowers appear in spring.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.  Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Spring; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Summer

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vicia
    Species:
    caroliniana
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant for Northern Cloudywing butterfly. Seeds may be eaten by songbirds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderate deer resistance.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Light pinkish white, pea-like flowers appear in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are pinnately compound and alternate with an entire margin and hairy underside.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stem is hollow, hairy, and slightly winged.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil