Common vetch

Vicia sativa

Family: Fabaceae

Annual
Weedy
Cover Crop
Pollinator Plant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

seeds (NC State poison part)

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given.

Hazard type

ingestion; NC State rates the severity Low, symptoms and toxic principle "unknown"

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Poison severity

NC State: "This plant has low severity poison characteristics"; Poison Part: Seeds; Poison Symptoms: unknown; Toxic Principle: unknown.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA does not list this plant, so there is no pet-safety verdict. Not listed is not the same as safe. NC State rates the seeds a low-severity poison for people; symptoms and toxic principle are unknown.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 2a-10b (NC State)
Light: Full sun (6+ hours) to partial shade (2-6 hours of direct sun), per NC State.
Where it comes from: Europe, Asia and North Africa (NC State). Found in cropland, fallow fields, weedy meadows, roadsides, railroads and waste areas.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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