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 Appearance:
Perennial forb producing 2-6' long stems with a reclining and trailing
growth pattern. In winter and early spring crown vetch can be recognized
by large brown unsightly patches. Leaves:
Pinnately compound (leaflets on both sides of a common stalk), with 15-25 pairs of oblong leaflets. Flower:
Clustered in flat-topped umbels on extended stalks which grow from
the leaf axils. Flowers bloom from May through August and range from
pink, lavender to white. Seed:
Slender seeds are contained in finger-like pods; they remain viable
in the soil for 15 years. Root:
Rhizomatous roots can grow up to 10' long, contributing to extensive vegetative
spread. |
Crown vetch is now a serious invader
of prairies and dunes. It is found in disturbed remnant prairies and
woodland edges, gravel bars along streams, agricultural
land and roadsides. It prefers open and sunny areas. It was introduced
from Europe and southeast Asia during the 1950s as a groundcover, bank
and slope stabilizer along roads and waterways, and as a green fertilizer
crop. It is still sold commercially. |
 Wisconsin
Manual of Control Recommendations for Ecologically Invasive Plants,
1997 |
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