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Vicia cracca

Species category

Weed

Common name

bird vetch, tufted vetch, cow vetch

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Globose

Size

  • Length 2.5–3 mm
  • Width 2.5–3 mm
  • Thickness 2.5–3 mm

Color

Dull black or brown

Texture

Smooth and dull

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is usually 2.5 mm. in length by 0.5 mm. wide.

Identification notes

Seeds are spherical with a conspicuous hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
. Color is dull black or brown with just a hint of mottling.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Alaska

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Vicia cracca L.

Synonyms

Vicia cracca L. ssp. cracca
Vicia cracca L. ssp. grossheimii (Ekutim.) Hashimov, nom. inval.
Vicia semicincta Greene
Vicia cracca. True seeds that are spherical with a conspicuous hilum. 
Vicia cracca. True seeds that are spherical with a conspicuous hilum.