Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Fabaceae / Leguminosae ⟩ Ervilia sylvatica / wood vetch

Ervilia sylvatica (L.) Schur

wood vetch (Fabaceae / Leguminosae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadNegligible tendencyNE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonym | Vicia sylvatica L.

Ervilia sylvatica is a climbing plant of woodland margins and coastal shingle; its flowers are white or lilac with darker purple veins on the standard.

Temple Guiting (VC33: East Gloucestershire); 2024-07-12

 wood vetch / Ervilia sylvatica: _Ervilia sylvatica_ is a climbing plant of woodland margins and coastal shingle; its flowers are white or lilac with darker purple veins on the standard.

The leaves of Ervilia sylvatica have grasping tendrils to help it climb over other vegetation.

Dolomites, Italy; 2012-07-07

 wood vetch / Ervilia sylvatica: The leaves of _Ervilia sylvatica_ have grasping tendrils to help it climb over other vegetation.

The flattened pods of Ervilia sylvatica contains 4 or 5 seeds each.

Burnmouth (VC81: Berwickshire); 2015-08-13

 wood vetch / Ervilia sylvatica: The flattened pods of _Ervilia sylvatica_ contains 4 or 5 seeds each.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne