Description

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) is a trailing winter annual, biennial, or summer annual weed that forms large mats of vegetation. The leaves of hairy vetch are oblong, with 5-10 pairs of leaves per leaflet. Tendrils form on the ends of the leaves. Purple flowers form in early to mid summer.

Cultural Control

Hairy vetch is a winter annual, biennial, or summer annual weed that forms large mats of vegetation. Maintain a dense, actively growing turf through proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices. Mow at the proper height for your selected adapted turfgrass. Coring and traffic control reduce compaction and encourage desirable turfgrass competition.

Species Data

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • summer annual or winter annual or biennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • vining; vine-like, forms a mat; hairy stems
    ​Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • 5 - 10 pairs per leaf
• LEAF MARGIN
  • smooth
• LEAF HAIRS
  • upper / lower surface
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear / oblong
    Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
• ROOT TYPE
  • taproot
• FLOWER COLOR
  • blue / purple
    Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11