# Purple Crownvetch (Securigera varia)

### Appearance

Vetch is a vine grows low to the ground. It can form thickets, but may also be found as a single plant. Vetch leaves are usually a dark green and growing oppositely to one another.

[![crownvetch_foliage_appearance.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-foliage-appearance.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-foliage-appearance.jpg)

A thicket of purple crownvetch (vetch) (Securigera varia) in a field. Photo courtesy of [Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5544188#collapseseven).

### [![crownvetch_foliage.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-foliage.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-foliage.jpg)

A stem of vetch against a red concrete wall. The contrast clearly shows the opposite orientation of the leaves, as well as their general shape. Photo courtesy of [Dan Tenaglia, Missouriplants.com, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=2308074#collapseseven).

### Flowers

Vetch flowers in the summer. The flowers are white, pink, and/or a pinkish-purple. They appear visually similar to clover flowers. Vetch flowers are usually larger than clover flowers.

[![crownvetch_flower_detail.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-flower-detail.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-flower-detail.jpg)

An up-close image of a vetch flower, showing the details of the petals and flower structure. Photo courtesy of [Mary C Legg, Mary C Legg, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5582233#collapseseven).

[![crownvetch_flowers.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-flowers.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-flowers.jpg)

Vetch flowers shown in various conditions. Their placement at the end of the stem should be noted. Photo courtesy of [Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5404828#collapseseven).

### Seeds & Fruit

Seed pods are segmented and appear at the end of the stem. The seeds are light brown and less than 0.3 inches long. They are long, round, and flat.

[![crownvetch_seeds_lab.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-seeds-lab.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-seeds-lab.jpg)

The above are vetch seeds in a laboratory environment. Note the light brown color and long, oval shape. Photo courtesy of [Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1555297#collapseseven).

[![crownvetch_fruit.jpg](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/scaled-1680-/crownvetch-fruit.jpg)](https://wiki.jederton.cloud/uploads/images/gallery/2025-11/crownvetch-fruit.jpg)

The seed pods (fruit) of a vetch plant grow at the end of the stem. Photo courtesy of [John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org](https://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1555295#collapseseven).

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### Management

Vetch spreads through both seeds and rhizomes, meaning that it is very aggressive in its growth pattern. We currently manage it through hand removal.