Perennial, spreading by seed and fine, white creeping roots. Scrambles through plants and hedges, holding on by tendrils which grow from the ends of the leaf stalks. Member of the Pea family, so fixes its own nitrogen in nodules on the roots.
Flowers from June to August, mottled purple-blue. The seeds develop in pea-like pods, which turn black when mature.
Height - up to 1 metre.
Difficult to eradicate by cultivation among plants. The roots form a slender network and congregate along retaining walls. Be careful when transferring plants or receiving gifts of plants from ground known to be infested. Treat as for Bindweed.
Weedkillers to use;-
Glyphosate, systemic action, taken down into underground parts.

See also Common Vetch and Tufted Vetch

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