The Living Crop Museum

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Leguminous Forage Crops

Common Name:

Crown Vetch

Latin Name:

Coronilla varia

Variety:

landrace

Crop Origin:

Mediterranean area

Type:

Perennial legume

Date Planted:

17 April 2005

Growth Stages in Ohio


January	February	March	April	May	June

July	August	September	October	November	December

Cultivation in Ohio

Primary Uses:	Forage/Conservation
Planting:	Plant into a firm seedbed at a depth of .125 to .25 inches. Plant in the spring due to poor seedling vigor and because it is hard to establish.
Seeding Rate:	10 to 15 pounds of inoculated seed
Fertility:	It will tolerate moderately acid soils, moderately drained and moderate fertility, but prefers a more neutral pH, well drained soils and fertile soils.
Insects:	None reported
Diseases:	None reported
Harvest:	Harvest for hay at full bloom, it will not tolerate continuous grazing; do not graze below 4 inches. It will usually produce two cutting a year.
Comments:	Crown vetch does not cause bloat, but does have compounds that can be toxic to monogastric animals.

Identification

Leaf:

Crown_vetch_leaf1.JPG (2490208 bytes)

Crown_vetch_leaf2.JPG (1566077 bytes)

Flower:

Crown_vetch_flower2.JPG (2748244 bytes)

Crown_vetch_flower1.JPG (2521303 bytes)

Seeds:

Crown_Vetch_seed.JPG (1248062 bytes)

Crown_Vetch_seed_pods_2.JPG (1475302 bytes)

Distribution:

More Info:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/crown_vetch.htm

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/crown_vetch.htm