Missouri Department of Conservation
Home » Discover Nature » Field Guide

Crown Vetch

Securigera varia (formerly Coronilla varia)
Family: 
Fabaceae (beans, peas)
Description: 

A perennial, herbaceous legume that reproduces by seeds and spreads vegetatively. It can form large clumps from creeping stems. The stems can be up to 6 feet long. Rhizomes can be up to 10 feet long, enabling the plant to spread rapidly. The compound leaves have 15-25 pairs of oblong leaflets. Native vetch species have vining tendrils at the ends of the stems, but crown vetch does not have any tendrils. Blooms May through August. Flowers are pinkish to white and are clustered in umbels (circular, like a crown) on long stalks. Each individual flower is shaped like typical a pea flower. The fruits are narrow, flattened pods.

Size: 
Height: to about 9 inches; stem length: up to 6 feet.
Habitat and conservation: 
Crown vetch prefers open, sunny areas. It occurs along roadsides and other rights-of-way, in open fields and on gravel bars along streams. It is found most easily during blooming, when its profuse pinkish blossoms are conspicuous. Animals may play a role in dispersal since some populations have turned up miles from a nearby seed source. The seeds are reported to be poisonous.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Widespread in Missouri, having been extensively planted on rights-of-way along interstate highways.
Status: 
Invasive. Crown vetch can spread rapidly by seed and vegetatively by its multi-branched, creeping rhizomes. The natural distribution of crown vetch is Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa. In the United States it occurs from Maine to South Dakota, south to Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.
Human connections: 
Crown vetch has been grown extensively in the northern two-thirds of the United States for temporary ground cover, erosion control and (because it fixes nitrogen like alfalfa and other legumes) as a green fertilizer crop. It is also used as a bank stabilizer along roads and waterways.
Ecosystem connections: 
This invasive, non-native plant threatens our state’s biodiversity. The vegetative growth habit can rapidly cover and shade out native vegetation. A single plant may fully cover 70 to 100 square feet within four years.

Related Information

Other Content You May Like

  • Purple Loosestrife

    Anyone who’s seen what this plant has done to New England and the Northeast can tell you how invasive this plant is. Learn how to identify it, so you can report any findings to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

  • Common Teasel

    “Infestation” is the term for what teasels are doing in Missouri. Learn to identify them, and help to control the weedy spread of these tough, prickly invaders.

  • Garlic Mustard

    Because each plant disperses a large number of seeds, garlic mustard can outcompete native vegetation for light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space as it quickly colonizes an area.

  • Spotted Knapweed

    This invasive plant outcompetes native communities, takes over pastureland and even beats back invasive sericea lespedeza! It has arrived in our state. Let’s prevent its spread.

  • Tall Fescue

    You’ve seen it a million times, now learn to identify it! Technically an exotic invasive plant, tall fescue is practically everywhere, from lawns to levees, and from pastures to (unfortunately!) prairies.

  • Sericea Lespedeza

    Decades ago, this exotic species was introduced in hopes it would provide hay, improve pastures, stop soil erosion and supply food and cover for wildlife. Unfortunately, it has proven to be an aggressive, invasive weed that is extremely difficult to control, escapes cultivation and outcompetes native plants.

  • White and Yellow Sweet Clovers

    These two species of sweet clover are present all over America. Although they have been planted for forage, as bee plants and as nitrogen-fixers, they are now classified as invasive for their weediness and the problems they pose for natural habitats.

MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.

We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Find out more

Discover Nature-Schools
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6411
Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Featured Pic

Check out the featured picture and other images at the MDC Media Gallery

Visit the media gallery
Popular Topics

Follow MDC on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr Pinterest Slideshare MDC RSS feeds

© 2013 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All rights reserved.