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Slender Tare

Vicia parviflora

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae (Pea)
Also in this family:
Alpine Milk-vetch, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot, Birdsfoot Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bithynian Vetch, Bitter Vetch, Black Broom, Black Medick, Bladder Senna, Broad Bean, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Bur Medick, Burrowing Clover, Bush Vetch, Clustered Clover, Common Broom, Common Gorse, Common Laburnum, Common Restharrow, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Crown Vetch, Dragon's Teeth, Dwarf Gorse, Dyer's Greenweed, False Acacia, Fine-leaved Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Garden Lupin, Garden Pea, Goat's Rue, Grass Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Greenweed, Hairy Tare, Hairy Vetchling, Hairy-fruited Broom, Haresfoot Clover, Hop Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Hungarian Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Knotted Clover, Large Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Lucerne, Marsh Pea, Meadow Vetchling, Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot Trefoil, Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Narrow-leaved Vetch, Nootka Lupin, Norfolk Everlasting Pea, Orange Birdsfoot, Petty Whin, Purple Milk-vetch, Purple Oxytropis, Red Clover, Reversed Clover, Ribbed Melilot, Rough Clover, Russell Lupin, Sainfoin, Scorpion Senna, Scottish Laburnum, Sea Clover, Sea Pea, Sickle Medick, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Slender Trefoil, Small Melilot, Small Restharrow, Smooth Tare, Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spiny Restharrow, Spotted Medick, Spring Vetch, Strawberry Clover, Suffocated Clover, Sulphur Clover, Tall Melilot, Toothed Medick, Tree Lupin, Tuberous Pea, Tufted Vetch, Twin-headed Clover, Two-flowered Everlasting Pea, Upright Clover, Upright Vetch, Western Clover, Western Gorse, White Broom, White Clover, White Lupin, White Melilot, Wild Liquorice, Wood Vetch, Yellow Oxytropis, Yellow Vetch, Yellow Vetchling, Zigzag Clover
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Fields, grassland, hedgerows, roadsides, sea cliffs, seaside, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Purple, 5 petals
 
Pea-like flowers, 6 to 9mm in size. There are 1 to 4 flowers per head. Smooth Tare (Vicia tetrasperma) is similar in appearance but Slender Tare has bluer, smaller flowers.
Fruit:
Brown, hairless, pea-like pods, 12 to 16mm in length.
Leaves:
A scrambling annual flower of 2 to 4 pairs of oblong, linear leaflets, pointed at the ends. The leaflets are longer than those of the similar looking Smooth Tare.
Other Names:
Small-flowered Vetch.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Vicia parviflora, also known as small-flowered vetch, is a species of legume that is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is an annual or perennial vine that can grow up to 1 meter in length and has small, pea-like flowers that are typically blue or purple in color. The leaves are pinnately compound, and the plant has small, stiff hairs. It is adapted to grow in a wide range of soil types and climates. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, and it can be used as a cover crop or a forage crop for livestock. It can also be used as a green manure to improve soil fertility. In some regions it is considered a weed. As it is a hardy plant and can grow well in poor soils, it is often found in abandoned fields, along roadsides and in other disturbed areas.

Blog

Slender Tare (Vicia parviflora) is a wild plant species that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a type of vetch that is commonly found growing in pastures, fields, and roadsides. Slender Tare is a hardy and adaptable plant, and it is known for its delicate beauty and its ability to support other plant species. In this blog post, we will explore the features, benefits, and uses of Slender Tare.

Features

Slender Tare is a trailing plant that can grow up to a length of 60 cm. Its leaves are small and light green, with a smooth surface and an oval shape. The plant produces clusters of small, purple flowers that bloom in the summer months. The flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths.

Benefits

Slender Tare is a great plant for farmers and gardeners who are looking for a natural way to improve the fertility of their soil. The plant is a legume, which means that it is able to fix nitrogen from the air and transfer it into the soil. This process helps to improve soil fertility and increase the growth of other plants that are growing in the same area.

Slender Tare is also a great source of food for livestock. The plant is high in protein, and it is often used as a forage crop for grazing animals. It is a good choice for farmers who are looking for a low-maintenance crop that can provide food for their livestock without the need for expensive fertilizers or pesticides.

Uses

Slender Tare is used in a variety of ways. It is often grown in wildflower meadows and wildlife habitats, where it provides habitat and food for wildlife. It is also used in erosion control and reforestation projects, where it helps to stabilize soil and promote the growth of other plants.

In addition to its practical uses, Slender Tare is also appreciated for its ornamental value. The delicate flowers and trailing habit of the plant make it a popular choice for hanging baskets, rock gardens, and other decorative displays.

In conclusion, Slender Tare is a versatile and valuable plant that has many uses and benefits. Whether you are a farmer, gardener, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of wildflowers, Slender Tare is a great plant to consider. Its ability to improve soil fertility, provide food for livestock, and support other plant species make it a valuable addition to any landscape.

More Information

In traditional medicine, Slender Tare has been used for various purposes, including the treatment of wounds, skin disorders, and digestive problems. The plant has been used in remedies for its astringent, diuretic, and antiseptic properties. In recent years, scientific research has confirmed some of the traditional uses of Slender Tare, and the plant has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Slender Tare is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, including drought and poor soil quality. It is also resistant to many pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance crop that is easy to grow. The plant can be propagated by seed, and it is usually grown as an annual, although it may overwinter in mild climates.

In order to get the best results from Slender Tare, it is important to choose a planting site that is well-drained and receives full sun. The plant prefers soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic, although it can tolerate a wide range of soil types. Slender Tare should be spaced about 20 cm apart, and it should be supported with a trellis or other type of support if it is grown in a container.

Slender Tare is a fascinating and valuable plant that is easy to grow and has many uses and benefits. Whether you are looking for a plant that will improve soil fertility, provide food for livestock, or add a touch of beauty to your garden, Slender Tare is a great choice. With its delicate flowers, trailing habit, and adaptable growing conditions, Slender Tare is a must-have for anyone who loves wildflowers and nature.

In addition to its many practical benefits, Slender Tare is also a valuable plant from an ecological perspective. The plant is an important source of nectar for pollinators, and it provides habitat for other species of insects and animals. Slender Tare is also an important food source for birds, especially in the winter months when other food sources are scarce.

As Slender Tare is a hardy and adaptable plant, it is well suited for use in green infrastructure projects, such as urban parks and gardens, wildlife habitats, and green roofs. The plant can help to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and provide habitat for wildlife in urban areas.

Furthermore, Slender Tare is also a great choice for gardeners who are looking for an environmentally-friendly option. The plant is easy to grow, and it does not require the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Additionally, Slender Tare is an important food source for pollinators, and it can help to promote biodiversity in the garden.

In order to promote the growth and health of Slender Tare, it is important to provide the plant with adequate water and sunlight. The plant should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells, and it should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season. Additionally, it is important to remove any dead or yellowed leaves to promote healthy growth and prevent the spread of disease.

In conclusion, Slender Tare is a plant with many benefits, and it is a great choice for anyone who is looking to make a positive impact on the environment. Whether you are a farmer, gardener, or simply someone who loves wildflowers, Slender Tare is a must-have plant that is sure to bring beauty and value to your landscape.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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