What are the hairy types of vetch?

Vetch is a leguminous plant that belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated as a forage crop and cover crop due to its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Among the different varieties of vetch, there are several hairy types that are known for their distinctive characteristics.

Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)

Hairy vetch, also known as winter vetch, is a cool-season annual plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It is characterized by its hairy stems, leaves, and seed pods, which give it its name. Hairy vetch is commonly used as a cover crop to improve soil fertility, control erosion, and suppress weeds. It has deep taproots that help break up compacted soil and improve water infiltration.

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Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)

Common vetch, also known as spring vetch, is another hairy type of vetch that is widely cultivated as a forage crop. It is an annual or biennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia. Common vetch has hairy stems and leaves, and its flowers are typically purple or blue in color. It is often used in pasture systems and as a green manure crop to provide nitrogen to subsequent crops.

Narrowleaf Vetch (Vicia angustifolia)

Narrowleaf vetch, as the name suggests, is characterized by its narrow leaves. It is a cool-season annual plant that is native to Europe and Asia. Narrowleaf vetch has hairy stems and leaves, and its flowers are usually pink or purple. It is commonly used as a cover crop in orchards and vineyards, as well as in pasture systems.

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Spring Vetchling (Lathyrus vernus)

Spring vetchling, also known as spring pea, is a perennial plant that belongs to the vetch family, Fabaceae. It is native to Europe and is characterized by its hairy stems and leaves. Spring vetchling produces beautiful pink or purple flowers in the spring, hence its name. It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

In conclusion, the hairy types of vetch, including hairy vetch, common vetch, narrowleaf vetch, and spring vetchling, are all valuable agricultural plants with various uses in forage production, cover cropping, and soil improvement.

Keywords: spring, leaves, native, europe, common, narrowleaf, vetchling, forage, annual