Relatives
Vicia costata Ledeb. - Costate (ribbed) vetch.
Taxonomic position.
Family Leguminosae Endl., genus Vicia LSynonyms.
Vicia pallida M. B., Vicia astragalina Fisch., Lathyrus spissus Schang.Biology and morphology.
Perennial rhizomatous herb. Stems almost upright, 30-60 cm high, well-branched, numerous, rigid, slightly pubescent. Leaves compound pinnate with 5-8 pairs of opposite leaflets. Leaf axis is ended by the small branched tendril. Leaflets 1,5-2,5 cm length, 4-7 mm width, elliptical or lanceolate in form, dense covered by long hairs especially at the lower sides, greenish-gray in colour. Racemes are laxiflorous with 3-10 flowers. Flowers 15-20 mm long, pale-yellow with lilac spot at the keel. Pods 25-30 mm long, 7-8 width, elongated-rhomboid, light brown in colour. Self-incompatible plant, cross-pollinated mainly by bees. Blossoms June-July, seeds ripening July-August. 2n = 12.Distribution.
Central Asia, Central Siberia.Ecology.
The species of a steppe-mountain zone. Prefers dry meadows, riversides, open stony hillsides.Utilisation and economic value.
Perspective forage plant for pasture in the areas with extreme environmental conditions.Useful as perennial component for long-term artificial pasture establishment.
Literature:
Field Guide of Plants of Central Asia. 1981. Kamelin R. V., Kovalevskaya S. S., Nabiev M. M. (ed.). - Tashkent: FAN, Vol. VI1, - 396 p.Flora of cultivated plants. Vicia. 1999. Repjev S. I. (ed.). - SPb.: VIR, Vol. IV, part 2 - 492 pp. (in Russin).
Flora of Kazakhstan. 1961. Pavlov N. B. (ed.). - Alma - Ata: AN KazSSR, Vol. V. - 515 pp. (in Russian).
Flora of Siberia. 1994. Polozhiy A.B., Malyshev L.I., (ed.). - Novosibirsk: Nauka, Vol. 9. - 280 pp. (in Russian).
Flora of the USSR. Genus Vicia. 1948. Schischkin V.K., E.G. Bobrov (ed.). M.-L.: AN USSR , Vol. XIII, p. 406 - 475. (in Russian).
Flora of Central Siberia. 1979. Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G. A. (ed.). Novosibirsk: Nauka, Vol. II, 506 pp. (in Russian).