Flower ID: IMG_1861.JPG-06-16-2019 Flower name (scientific): Vicia americana Muhlenberg ex Willdenow PY: 1802. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) VIS-ee-uh a-mer-ih-KAY-na Flower name (common): American Vetch Family name (common): Pea Family name (scientific): Fabaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin name used by Pliny for a vetch, with the origin of the classical Latin vicia unknown. Also possibly from Latin meaning to bind, referring to the climbing habit of the vetches. Specific epithet: Of or from America. Common name origin: Vetch is from the classical Latin vicia, of unknown origin. Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.7 inches (1.0 to 1.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: purple Other: flower arrangement, None Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound Size: Leaflets up to 3 cm long and up to 6 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, pinnately-divided (FWI), leaflet, linear-oblong to linear-lanceolate (MP), elliptic (FWI) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, woods, fields, meadows, sun or part shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Of the other common Vicia species that are similar, V. americana can be distinguished by the stipules (leafy outgrowths at the base of the petioles), which have 3 teeth. Vicia sativa (Narrow-Leaved Common Vetch) also has teeth on its stipules, but can be distinguished by its narrow leaves. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in the Wisconsin region, but employed by several tribes including the Iroquois, Navajo, Mendocino, and others to produce medicines for various ailments, as a food source, and for cordage (Moerman, pp. 595-596, 1998). Latitude: 44.799797 Longitude: -91.505822 Altitude: 256.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Vicia americana var. americana (The other infraspecific is Vicia americana var. minor William Jackson Hooker which occurs in the central states and provinces of the US and Canada.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU