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—vetchlike, adj./vech/, n.1. any of several mostly climbing plants belonging to the genus Vicia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves ending in tendrils and bearing pealike flowers, esp. V. sativa (spring vetch), cultivated for forage and soil improvement.2. any of various allied plants, as Lathyrus sativus, of Europe, cultivated for their edible seeds and for forage.3. the beanlike seed or fruit of any such plant.[1325-75; ME ve(c)che < AF; OF vecce (F vesce) < L vicia]
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Any of about 150 species of herbaceous plants in the genus Vicia of the pea family (see legume).A few species are cultivated as important fodder and cover crops and as green manure. Trailing or climbing stems grow 1–4 ft (0.3–1.2 m) tall, bearing compound leaves with several pairs of leaflets. Magenta, bluish-white, white, or yellow flowers are borne singly or in clusters. The pods contain 2–10 seeds. Like other legumes, vetches add nitrogen to the soil through nitrogen fixation. See also crown vetch.
Vetch (Vicia cracca)Walter Dawn* * *
▪ plantalso called Tare,any herbaceous plant of the genus Vicia, within the pea family (Fabaceae). About 150 species are known. The plants are 30–120 cm (1–4 feet) tall, with trailing or climbing stems and compound leaves with several pairs of leaflets. The magenta, bluish white, white, or yellow flowers are borne singly or in clusters. Two to ten seeds are borne in a pod. A few species of vetch are cultivated as important fodder and cover crops and as green manure. Like other legumes, they add nitrogen to the soil by means of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and thus are particularly valuable as a soil-enriching crop. For the low-growing ground cover Coronilla varia, see crown vetch.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
