Coronilla varia - Crown Vetch
Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia) is a smooth, vine-like perennial herb that was originally introduced as a groundcover to stabilize soil along highways. It grows from 12 to 18 inches in height and has alternate, sessile, pinnately compound leaves with 11 to 12 oblong leaflets that are 0.5 to 0.75 inches in length. The flowers are pink or purplish, pea-like, and borne in umbrels of 10 to 20 flowers. The flowers are present from May to September.
The fruits are long legumes with 4 angles and 7 segments, each of which separate individually.
Crown Vetch was introduced from Europe and is now considered by many states to be a significant threat to native species. It is commonly found in waste areas and roadsides throughout much of the United States.
The fruits are long legumes with 4 angles and 7 segments, each of which separate individually.
Crown Vetch was introduced from Europe and is now considered by many states to be a significant threat to native species. It is commonly found in waste areas and roadsides throughout much of the United States.