Mouse vetch or mouse pea 20+ PCS fresh seeds, Vicia cracca

🌱 Vicia cracca — Mouse vetch or mouse pea

Mouse vetch or mouse pea seeds are a perennial herbaceous plant species in the Legume family (Fabaceae). These seeds are a great choice for those looking to attract pollinators and add a unique touch to their garden.

🌿 Botanical Description

Mouse vetch or mouse pea is a plant up to 120 cm tall, with weak, clinging, ribbed stems that are usually branched. The leaves are alternate, 5-12 cm long, paired-feathered, on short petioles with 6-10 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 1.5—3 cm long and 2-4 mm wide, horizontally prostrate, thin linear, pointed or rounded at the top, pubescent on both sides or from below.

🌾 Growing & Agrotechnics

• Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in well-draining soil in early spring or fall. Pre-treatment is not required.
• Germination temperature: 15-20°C, germination time: 7-14 days.
• Soil type: well-draining, pH: 6.0-7.0.
• Watering and fertilization: keep the soil consistently moist, fertilize lightly.
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9, frost tolerance: moderate.

🗺️ Natural Growing Areas

Native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Mouse vetch or mouse pea grows in a variety of habitats, including dry meadows, rocky slopes, and woodland edges, at elevations up to 1,500 m.

✨ Interesting Facts

Mouse vetch or mouse pea has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a range of ailments, including fever, rheumatism, and skin conditions. The plant is also a valuable source of food for pollinators and other wildlife.

🪴 Uses

Mouse vetch or mouse pea is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways. The leaves and flowers can be used in salads, the seeds can be roasted as a snack, and the plant can be used as a natural dye.

🌸 Propagation

Mouse vetch or mouse pea can be propagated through seed or division. Sow seeds in well-draining soil in early spring or fall, and keep the soil consistently moist until germination.

🍃 Care

Mouse vetch or mouse pea is a relatively low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care. Keep the soil consistently moist, fertilize lightly, and provide support for the stems if necessary.