Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)

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Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Loteae

Description

Crown Vetch (Securigera varia, formerly Coronilla varia), also called Purple Crown Vetch,Medium Tall straggly , hairless pereninal is a low-growing legume vine. The leaves are Pinnate with a terminal leaflet It has a ring of pink flowers ( flowers multicoloured Pink Liac with keel tipped blue) and the long pods break into segments. Pod 4 angled

Crown vetch is toxic to horses because of the presence of nitroglycosides. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or even death.Foodplants

Habitat

Grassy places

Flowering

June - August

Dependent Ecology

The only native plant used by the Berger's Clouded Yellow in Britain is Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa), although the naturalized Crown Vetch (Securigera varia) may be used, as it is in continental Europe Breeding is generally restricted to dry, calcareous habitats where its larval foodplant, Horseshoe

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE

 

IMAGE (C) 2007 COLIN DUKE