Vicia cracca L.

Scrambling perennial; stem moderately to densely clothed in mostly appressed hairs. Lvs densely clothed in appressed hairs above and below; tendrils branched at least in upper lvs; leaflets in c. 8–10 pairs, sometimes alternate, linear to ovate-oblong, 5–25 mm long; stipules entire or with 1, narrow, adaxial, basal lobe. Infl. > lvs, 10–45-flowered. Peduncle much > fls. Pedicel 1–2 mm long. Calyx slightly gibbous at base, moderately to densely hairy; calyx teeth very unequal; lower teeth ± = tube; upper teeth much < tube. Corolla blue to bluish purple, c. 8–12 mm long; limb of standard ± = claw. Pod glabrous, brown, 2–6-seeded, 16–26 mm long; seeds dark brown or mottled, 2–3 mm diam.; hilum 1/4-⅓ of circumference.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Feb.