Vicia cracca - Tufted Vetch

Tufted Vetch: M, N, P, B, May-Aug

NATIVE PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER growing (scrambling) to 1.8 m (6ft). Prefers reasonably fertile, damp soils but is intolerant of permanently damp sites. Hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from May to August. This scrambling plant with pretty purple flower spikes, has limited capacity for vegetative spread and is mainly reliant upon its large seed for regeneration. This coupled with its need of surrounding vegetation for support means it is rarely found in pasture of mown grassland. It can, however, become established in meadow, particularly those cut later in the season. Medicinally the whole plant is used (cooked) to increase lactation. The flowers are pollinated by Bumblebees and larger Bees. Produces POLLEN & NECTAR. It can fix nitrogen in the soil (and can be used as a green manure). SEEDS 1g/ £1.55