Vicia sativa L. s.l. (Eur., As., N-Afr.) – An exceedingly variable and still poorly understood species complex. The taxonomic classification of most microtaxa is very controversial. Most authors seem to accept them at subspecific rank (see Euro+Med Plantbase, Sell & Murrell 2009, Lambinon & Verloove 2012, etc.) while others warrant species status (see for instance Romero Zarco 1999). Two subspecies are probably native in Belgium: subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (syn.: V. sativa subsp. angustifolia (L.) Batt., V. angustifolia L.) and subsp. segetalis (Thuill.) Gaudin (syn.: V. angustifolia subsp. segetalis (Thuill.) Corb., V. segetalis Thuill.) (Lambinon & Verloove 2012); however, the complex is surely insufficiently understood. Bomble & Loos (2004) further cite V. austroccidentalis Bomble et Loos from Belgium. Vicia sativa s.l. has not yet been thoroughly studied in Belgium for this account. Useful identification keys are provided by Ball (1968), Bomble & Loos (2004), Sell & Murrell (2009), etc.
Some preliminary data are presented here. Subsp. sativa with large pods (6-9 mm wide) that are contracted between the seeds at maturity is often cultivated for fodder and sometimes reported as an escape (by road verges, near grain mills, etc.). Subsp. uncinata (Rouy) P.D. Sell is rather distinctive in combining linear-setaceous leaflets and a small calyx (ca. 4,5-5,5 mm long). It was recorded at least once, near timber storage in Staden in 1992. Finally, a peculiar form with cream, usually cleistogamous corollas is regularly seen by road verges, near grain mills or where birdseed waste has been discarded. It is obviously issued from birdseed, often very abundant and therefore believed to be a component of commercial birdseed mixtures. It is seen most years for instance near a grain mill in the port of Roeselare. The correct name for this race remains uncertain. Lawalrée (1963) ascribed some to Vicia sativa subsp. angustifolia var. flavida (Schur) Aschers. et Graebn.
Selected literature:
Ball P.W. (1968) Vicia. In: Tutin T.G. & al. (eds.), Flora Europaea, vol. 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 129-136.
Bomble F.W. & Loos G.H. (2004) Zwei neue Arten der Vicia sativa-Gruppe. Flor. Rundbr. 38(1-2): 65-77.
Gil J. & Cubero J.I. (1993) Multivariate analysis of the Vicia sativa L. aggregate. Bot. Journ. Linn. Soc. 113: 389-400.
Hanelt P. & Mettin D. (1966) Cytosystematische Untersuchungen in der Artengruppe um Vicia sativa L. 2. Kulturpflanze 14: 137-161.
Hollings E. & Stace C.A. (1978) Morphological variation in the Vicia sativa L. aggregate. Watsonia 12: 1-14.
Killick H.J. (1973) Where has Vicia sativa gone? Watsonia 9(4): 428-429.
Lambinon J. & Verloove F. (avec coll. Delvosalle L., Toussaint B., Geerinck D., Hoste I., Van Rossum F., Cornier B., Schumacker R., Vanderpoorten A. & Vannerom H.) (2012) Nouvelle Flore de la Belgique, du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des Régions voisines (Ptéridophytes et Spermatophytes). Sixième édition. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise: CXXXIX + 1195 p.
Lawalrée A (1963) Papilionaceae. In: Robyns W. (ed.), Flore Générale de Belgique, vol. 4, fasc. 2. Jardin Botanique de l’Etat, Bruxelles: 135-228.
Loos G.H. (1995) Vicia segetalis Thuill. – eine verwechselte und verkannte Wickenart. Flor. Rundbr. 29(1): 26-29.
Mettin D. & Hanelt P. (1964) Cytosystematische Untersuchungen in der Artengruppe um Vicia sativa L. 1. Kulturpflanze 12: 163-225.
Romero Zarco C. (1999) Vicia. In: Talavera S. & al. (eds.), Flora Iberica, vol. 7(I). Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid: 360-417.
Sell P. & Murrell G. (2009) Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 3 Mimosaceae – Lentibulariaceae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: XXVIII + 595 p.
Veall R. (1997) Subspecies of Vicia sativa (Common Vetch). BSBI News 76: 24.
Zertova A. (1958) Prispevek k teratologii Vicia sativa L. Preslia 30: 59-63.