Vicia narbonensis L.

Annual, suberect, stem subglabrous to hirsute. Leaf paripinnately compound, leaflets 4-8, lower leaf generally with 2-4 leaflets; leaflets 1.0-4.5 cm long, c. 7-25 mm broad, elliptic or oblong-lanceolate to obovate, minutely dentate, pilose at the margin; stipules entire to dentate or incised, semihastate to semiorbicular; tendrils simple or branched. Inflorescence a subsessile 1-6-flowered raceme. Calyx 8-13 mm long, mouth slightly oblique, teeth unequal, half as long as the tube. Corolla purple or lilac tinged with cream. Vexillum 16-30 mm long. Fruit 3.5-6.0 cm long, 8-12 mm broad, linear oblong with recurved beak, somewhat tubercled, pubescent to glabrescent, 4-7-seeded.

Distribution: Pakistan; Kashmir; Russia; Central Asia; S.Europe, N.Africa. Cultivated as source of fodder and green manure.

Fl.Per.: March.