Vicia nipponica — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

Young leaves are edible and best eaten cooked.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

Perennial vetch reaching 0.8 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers self-fertile and pollinated by insects. Fixes nitrogen in soil. Establishes in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH ranges, growing in semi-shade or full sun and preferring consistently moist soil.

How to Grow

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in situ in spring or autumn.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Other Uses

Functions as a nitrogen fixer.

Wikipedia

Perennial vetch reaching 0.8 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers self-fertile and pollinated by insects. Fixes nitrogen in soil. Establishes in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH ranges, growing in semi-shade or full sun and preferring consistently moist soil.