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Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District Hairy Vetch (Winter Vetch) The non-native (European) Hairy Vetch is uncommon in our area. It prefers full or partial sun and moist to slightly moist fertile loamy soil. Habitats include grassy meadows along rivers and moist areas along roads. This perennial vine is 1-3' tall, branching tending to sprawl. The alternate compound leaves are up to 10" long and 2" across with 8-12 pairs of opposing leaflets and a terminal tendril that clings to adjacent vegetation for support. The leaflets are up to 1" long and ¼" across, untoothed and lance-shaped. Slender racemes of flowers up to 6" long develop from the axils of the compound leaves. The one-sided racemes consist of 5-20 pairs of nodding, pink to blue-violet, tubular, ½–¾" long, 5-petal flowers.
Hairy Vetch clinging to Indian Grass near Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve June 24, 2013
Hairy Vetch at Baker Woods Forest Preserve June 5, 2013
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