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Vicia cracca L.

5 photos.
A beautiful and extremely weedy invasive species known as "bird vetch", "cow vetch", "boreal vetch",
"tufted vetch" or "tinegrass", this plant has been particularly troublesome in the Fairbanks
area in recent years.  It is present along the Deadwood road near Central.

ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 26335


1.  Mid-July.  A large group of plants which climb over our native species.
Here they are choking out some willows.  The year after this photo was taken,
the Department of Transportation began mowing this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2.  Mid-June.  Close-up of two flower spikes.

3.  Mid-June.   Close-up of a single spike
still partially in the bud stage.

4.  Mid-July.  The same field of plants
as in photo 1.

5.  Mid-July.  Seed pods.

Photos 1, 4 and 5 taken along the
Steese Expressway near the pipeline
crossing north of Fairbanks.
64° 55.70' N, 147° 37.65' W
Elev. 750 ft.

Photos 2 and 3 taken along Geist
Road in Fairbanks.
64° 50.95' N, 147° 50.3' W
Elev. 450 ft.