What is the difference between crown vetch and hairy vetch?
What puts vetch in the weed category is that the hairy vetch, an annual, drops its seed early and once established it’s very difficult to eradicate. Crown vetch, a perennial, spreads by rhizomes under ground as well as by seed dispersal.
How tall does crown vetch get?
The stems can be up to 6 feet long. Crown vetch has rhizomes up to 10 feet long which allow the plant to spread rapidly. The vegetative growth habit can rapidly cover and shade out native vegetation. A single plant may fully cover 70 to 100 square feet within a four year period.
Does crown vetch spread?
Crown vetch spreads through both seeds and rhizomes. The rhizomes can extend up to 10 feet, and an individual plant can cover 70 to 100 square feet within four years. Ecological Threat: Crown vetch’s main impact is the displacement of native plant species from their habitats.
What kind of plant is crown vetch weed?
Keep reading to learn more about this interesting plant. What is Crown Vetch Weed? Crown vetch ( Coronilla varia L.) is a trailing herbaceous member of the pea family. This cool season perennial plant is also known as ax seed, ax wort, hive-vine, and trailing crown vetch.
Where can I find crown vetch in Minnesota?
It is now found across the continental U.S. and in most counties of Minnesota. In Minnesota, it has been planted as a cover crop and used for soil stabilization, but these uses are in decline due to the invasive nature of the plant. Crown vetch is an herbaceous perennial in the legume family.
What kind of soil do you need for crown vetch?
Planting crown vetch can be done by seed or potted plants. If you have a large area to cover, it is best to use seed. Crown vetch is not particular about soil type and will tolerate low pH and low fertility. However, you can prepare the soil by adding lime and organic compost.
When did crown vetch come to North America?
Brought from Europe to North America in the 1950s, crown vetch quickly outlived its welcome. The aggressive plant is fairly attractive, and performs well as ground cover, but use it with care. (Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 18, 2009.