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Hairy Vetch
Legume Family : Fabaceae
Latin Name : Vicia villosa
Longevity : Annual or biennial
Season : Cool
Origin : Introduced
Value : Wildlife – good
Livestock – good foliage/seeds (Toxic)
Remarks :
Also known as, "Winter vetch" or "Woolypod vetch".
Flowers April to May. Adapted to sandy soils in fields,
waste places, and along roadsides. Forms large, sprawling
mats and does well in drought conditions. Readily
grazed by livestock and browsed by deer, turkey and
other wildlife. The seeds are poisonous to cattle, causing
symptoms resembling rabies, i.e. bellowing and seizures.
This tends to be observed more often in black cattle.
Excessive consumption of the foliage can cause some
skin problems in all cattle. Hairy vetch is a desirable,
nutritious forage and should continue to be used as such.
However, cattle grazing vetch should be monitored
frequently.
Source: USDA-NRCS
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