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Invasive Plants
- Perennial Sow Thistle
- Creeping Thistle
- Oxeye Daisy
- Common Tansy
- Spotted Knapweed
- Narrowleaf Hawksbeard
- Scentless Chamomile
- Leafy Spurge
- Foxtail Barley
- Altai Wild Rye
- Crested Wheat Grass
- Smooth Brome
- Quackgrass
- Reed Canary Grass
- Bird Vetch
- Lucerne
- Sweetclover
- Greater Butter-and-Eggs
- Dalmatica Toadflas
Bird or Tufted Vetch
Common Name: Bird or Tufted Vetch
Scientific Name: Vicia cracca
Family: Fabaceae
Description
Multiple weak stems and compound leaves with tendrils (that allow the plant to attach to other plants or objects) characterize this perennial plant. The distinct purplish/blue flowers are arranged in a one-sided spike and turn into brown or black seed pods once matured. Vetch seeds disperse by the ballistic action of drying seedpods. Because Bird Vetch is spreading effectively via seeds and by underground horizontal rootstocks, infestations grow rapidly.
Range in Yukon
It is found in most Yukon communities including Whitehorse, Dawson, Watson Lake and Haines Junction.
Similar Species
Like the garden pea, Bird Vetch has tendrils to help it climb other vegetation. In Yukon only four plant species, all vetches, have tendrils. Three of these are introduced including Bird Vetch. Spring Vetch (V. sativa) and Shaggy Vetch (V. villosa) are only known from historic collections in Dawson City. Purple Vetch (V. americana) is the only native Yukon vetch and is found in southeast Yukon, but has been introduced to Mayo and Rancheria. Purple Vetch has fewer flowers (3-9) per bunch than Bird Vetch (10-30).
Ecological Impact
This plant can overgrow herbaceous vegetation and climb over shrubs like alder and willow. It is known to invade undisturbed sites including spruce forests and south-facing slopes. Due to the fixation of nitrogen it may change the soil composition.
Control
Bird Vetch is difficult to eradicate one established. Hand-pulling can be effective for small infestations, but the area has to be monitored and retreated for several years. Mowing and herbicide control can also be used effectively, especially for larger areas.
Contact Environment Yukon Government of Yukon Box 2703 (V-5N) Bruce Bennett, Wildlife Viewing Biologist Phone: 867-667-5331 Email: bruce.bennett@gov.yk.ca |