Vicia pannonica

Vicia pannonica Crantz (C and S-Eur., W-As.) – A rather rare and ephemeral alien, much decreasing in the past decades. Probably first collected on arable land in Sint-Genesius-Rode in 1877 (initially as Vicia peregrina), along with V. melanops and V. serratifolia. Shortly afterwards recorded in numerous, very widely scattered localities (formerly much more common than the similar Vicia lutea). Repeatedly seen, for instance, as a grain alien by a canal in Wilsele (between 1889 and 1896) and near a brewery in Vorst between 1914 and 1919. Often seen with other species of Vicia, for instance on arable land in Pailhe in 1902 with V. lutea and V. melanops or in Tinlot around 1890 with V. narbonensis. Sometimes seen as a wool alien in the valley of river Vesdre, at least between 1893 and 1971. Most other records are probably associated with cereals. In the past decades Vicia pannonica has become much rarer. Still regularly seen in the 1950’s (Anderlecht, Berchem, Douvrain, Evere, Hoboken, Itegem, Jamioulx, Kessel-Lo, Leuven, Mechelen, Ogy, Ohain, Oostmalle, Poperinge, Salzinnes, between Thieves and Treignes, etc.) but then suddenly much scarcer. Seen for instance in Anderlecht (1968), Anseremme (1989), Braine-le-Comte (1990), Diest (1990), Ghlin-Tertre (1966), Ittre (1990), Kwaadmechelen (1967) and Turnhout (1969). More recent records are available from, for instance, Leuven (2000), port of Roeselare (2010), Flône (2011) and La Louvière (2013). See also waarnemingen.be (http://waarnemingen.be/soortenlijst.php?q=vicia+pannonica&g=0&f=0&z=1&p=0&sound=0&sort_lat=0).  Most records of Vicia pannonica are from waste land, often in the vicinity of grain mills. Furthermore also seen on dumps, in road verges and by railway tracks. Formerly also regularly seen as a weed of arable land (in fields of alfalfa, oat, clover, etc.). Recently still seen as a weed in a beet field (Havrenne 1989). Vicia pannonica was often seen in abundance but it was probably never really naturalized in Belgium.

Vicia pannonica is a variable species. Two subspecies have been recorded in Belgium: subsp. pannonica with yellowish corollas and subsp. striata (Bieb.) Nyman (syn.: V. striata Bieb., V. purpurascens DC., V. pannonica var. purpurascens (DC.) Seringe) with purplish corollas. The former seems to be by far the commoner of the two. More or less intermediate plants have also been recorded and their taxonomic value seems rather poor.

Vicia pannonica has been confused a lot with other species in the past (mainly V. lutea but remarkably often also V. peregrina). Yet it is readily distinguished by its hairy standard, a feature shared with Vicia hybrida. The latter usually has a larger, brighter yellow corolla and an oblique calyx mouth (calyx teeth unequal).

Selected literature:


Havrenne A. (1989) Vicia pannonica subsp. pannonica à Villers-Perwin. Nat. Mosana 42(4): 150.

Palmer J.R. (1983) Vicia pannonica Crantz still spreading in Kent. BSBI News 34: 27.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith