Wood Vetch Vicia caroliniana
- Phonetic Spelling
- VIS-ee-uh kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
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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 Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Light pinkish white, pea-like flowers appear in spring.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is hollow, hairy, and slightly winged.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
