Narbonne Vetch

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Narbonne Vetch
• Narbon Bean
• French vetch
• Narbon vetch
• narbon-bean
• purple broad vetch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vicia narbonensis var. salmonea
• Vicia monadelpha
• Bona narbonensis
• Vicia narbonensis var. platycarpos
• Vicia narbonensis var. jordanica
• Bona speciosa
• Vicia narbonensis var. culta
• Vicia narbonensis var. integrifolia
• Faba narbonensis
• Faba vulgaris var. minuta
• Vicia narbonensis var. heterophylla
• Faba bona
• Vicia serratifolia subsp. salmonea
• Vicia latifolia
• Faba bona subsp. minuta
• Faba serratifolia
• Vicia platycarpos

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Vicia, specifically as the species Vicia narbonensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is well-documented within the borders of Austria and Germany. The species also extends its range through the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Additionally, it can be found growing within the landscapes of Hungary. Finally, its geographical reach extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically on the island of Corse.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vicia narbonensis is characterized by its preference for specific environmental conditions, primarily flourishing in weedy and moist places. This species demonstrates a distinct vertical distribution within its landscape, typically inhabiting areas within a defined altitudinal gradient. Its elevational range is centered around a mean altitude of 1400 m AMSL, though it can be found at higher reaches reaching a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Habitat :

weedy and moist places

Life history

The life history of Vicia narbonensis is characterized by a lifecycle that is classified as annual, meaning the plant completes its entire biological process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable seasons through highly resistant seeds rather than perennial above-ground structures. This classification as a therophyte is consistent across its botanical descriptions, defining its ecological niche as a plant that rapidly colonizes available space during favorable conditions before returning to a dormant seed state.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Vicia narbonensis is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant typically exhibits a self-supporting habit rather than acting as an obligatory climber or a liana. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vicia narbonensis is primarily characterized by its metabolic efficiency within the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common trait among many Fabaceae species that involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This C3 mechanism dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and carbon assimilation rates, making its physiological performance highly dependent on ambient temperature and moisture availability. In addition to its carbon fixation strategy, the plant's physiological processes are heavily influenced by its ability to engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, a process facilitated by specialized root nodules that house rhizobia bacteria. This symbiotic relationship allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, supporting its protein synthesis and overall nutrient uptake. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is tied to its adaptive responses to environmental stressors, including its capacity for osmotic adjustment to manage water potential fluctuations in varying soil conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vicia narbonensis is characterized by a specific phenological window and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through June, though the timing can be variable across different environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a notable range in mass. The average seed mass is approximately 0.1983625 g, with individual seed weights fluctuating between a minimum of 0.0712 g and a maximum of 0.2935 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.2935 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1983625 g

Seed mass min:

0.0712 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vicia narbonensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hexoses, sucrose, Legumin, STARCH, glucose.

Hexoses

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Planta

sucrose

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Planta

Legumin

1. Planta

STARCH

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

glucose

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology