Vicia cracca

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct geographical presence across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. Furthermore, the species is recorded within the territory of Great Britain. Together, these locations define its specific range across the northern latitudes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vicia cracca is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse landscapes and altitudinal gradients. It thrives in a variety of habitats, ranging from disturbed agricultural environments such as crop fields to more natural settings including forests, hills, meadows, and shrubberies. This versatile growth habit allows the species to occupy multiple ecological niches, from open, sunlit grasslands to the more sheltered understories of wooded areas. Furthermore, the species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, capable of growing from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, forest, hills, meadows, shrubberies

Genetics

The genetics of Vicia cracca are characterized by a stable chromosomal configuration, specifically identified by a ploidy level of 2n, which indicates that the species is a diploid organism. This diploid status implies that the plant possesses two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, providing a foundational genomic structure that supports its reproductive biology and phenotypic expression. This specific ploidy level is a key genetic determinant that influences the species' evolutionary stability, genetic diversity, and its capacity for recombination during sexual reproduction.

Ploidy :

2, n

Life history

The life history of Vicia cracca is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, exhibiting a variable lifecycle that allows it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, its perenn Perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or upper soil layers, which facilitates its survival during unfavorable conditions. This species follows a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage as it enters dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vicia cracca is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. The plant exhibits a variable stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 2 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.6715 m. It functions as a self-supporting plant with an ascending shoot orientation, though it possesses obligatory climbing capabilities. As a terrestrial species, it is neither an epiphyte nor an aquatic plant, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.6715 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vicia cracca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake supplemented by its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer. This nitrogen fixation capability is a vital physiological trait that supports its growth in various soil environments. Morphologically, its leaves possess a mean surface area of 9.715 cm², contributing to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 254.33 cm²/g, reflecting a structural adaptation that balances light interception with resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

9.715 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

254.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vicia cracca is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with a specific reliance on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This plant follows a sexual reproductive cycle where self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in July. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscent fruit in the form of a capsule, which reaches a mean length of 2.4 cm. Seed dispersal is achieved through an autochorous mechanism, where the seeds are released via the fruit's own natural processes. The resulting seeds exhibit consistent dimensions, with a mean length of 20 mm, a mean width of 2.5 mm, and a mean volume of 12 mm³. The seed mass varies, with a minimum recorded at approximately 0.01097 g and a maximum at 0.023661 g (noting a mean value of 0.57659609375 g). Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making it entirely dependent on its sexual reproductive processes for propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

2.4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

20 mm

Seed mass max:

0.023661 g

Seed mass mean:

0.57659609375 g

Seed mass min:

0.01097 g

Seed volume max:

12 mm³

Seed width mean:

2.5 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vicia cracca has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. European journal of biochemistry