Vicia cretica
Vicia cretica, commonly known as Cretan vetch, is a resilient herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region. Often found in rocky terrains, it plays a vital role in local ecosystems. Beyond its ecological significance, this species is valued in traditional herbalism for its unique bioactive properties and medicinal potential.
- Scientific name: Vicia cretica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Vicia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vicia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Vicia cretica, is referred to by the common name Kretavicker in Swedish.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| sv | Kretavicker | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily located within the region of Southeastern Europe. Specifically, its natural habitat includes various areas across Greece. A significant concentration of its population can be found on the island of Kriti. Furthermore, its range extends into Western Asia. This distribution encompasses the islands of the East Aegean.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Western Asia | East Aegean Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Vicia cretica, is a species of vetch characterized by its specific morphological features, most notably its medicinal potential linked to its reproductive structures. While the entire plant may possess various properties, the seeds are a significant component often studied for their biological activity. These seeds, contained within legume pods, serve as the primary vessel for the plant's genetic material and are the part most frequently analyzed when investigating the concentration of specific phytochemicals used in traditional or scientific applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vicia cretica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lectin.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lectin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |