Crown Vetch Securigera varia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Coronilla varia
- Phonetic Spelling
- kor-o-nil-a VAR-ee-uh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Crown vetch is a vining spreading wildflower native to Europe, Asia, and Africa in the Fabaceae (legume) family. In the US and Canada, it has been used for erosion control in the 70's and 80's but has become invasive in many states including the mountains of NC, and is difficult to eradicate once established. It is toxic to humans and horses and other non-ruminants but is tolerated by cattle, goats, and sheep and is considered a good hay forage plant. The tough roots will spread quickly and cover an area preventing other plants from growing.
The plant will grow 1-3 feet tall with pink and white flowers in 1-inch round clusters that are present from early summer through fall. The leaves are delicate-looking compound leaves with 12-25 leaflets. It spreads by rhizomes and seeds. It will tolerate part shade to full sun and will grow in nearly any type of well-drained soil. It needs basically no fertilizer and is drought-tolerant.
This is an invasive plant. Please choose a native plant instead.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. This plant has weedy tendencies and is invasive in some locations. Please consider planting native plants like Carolina vetch (Vicia carolina).
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Securigera
- Species:
- varia
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used to make an insecticide
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Creeping
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an angular seedpod about ½–2" long. with 1-7 segments. It is constricted between each segment and ends in a long pointed beak.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pink and white, pea-like flowers in a head-like cluster arise from leaf axils; upper dilated petals with side petals that are often whitish. Clusters are 1 inch across and contain 10-25 individual 1/2-inch long flowers on 6 inch stems.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2-6 in. alternate compound leaf that is pinnately divided into 15-25 opposite leaflets. The leaflets are sessile, oblong to ovate with rounded base and tip. The tip may have a short needle-like tip. Leaflets are 3/4 inch long and 1/4 inch wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Grooved, angular stems that are trailing to ascending and form mats. Usually glabrous but may have a few hairs.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
