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June 6, 2010
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Southeastern, New Hampshire
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Two vetches seem to be very common in Southeastern, New Hampshire. The
Crown Vetch (Securigera varia) which I profiled earlier and even more
common is the Cow Vetch (which is known by many other names). It's official USDA
Plant Database name is Bird Vetch. Cow Vetch is a vine that has pinnately compound
leaves with 14-31 small leaflets. It has blue (or purple) flowers hanging down that
grow on one side of the stem only. The stems are hairless. Similar Vetches: Crown Vetch
(Securigera varia) has a pink flower growing in a clump and obvious hairs on
the back of the leaf stalk. Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa) has similar flowers to
Cow Vetch except that parts of the flowers are both blue and whitish. Also, the
stalks of Hairy Vetch have hairs.
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