Narbonne vetch
Drought-tolerant large vetch grown for forage in dry regions; its dark purple flowers give a moderate spring source for bees.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0.2-0.8 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
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Narbonne vetch is an upright, large-leaved annual vetch closely related to the faba bean. It grows wild in the Mediterranean and the Middle East; because it tolerates drought and cold better than other vetches, it is sown for forage and grain in central and southeastern Anatolia. Its dark purple flowers are largely self-pollinating, but honey bees and bumblebees visit them for nectar. Bees also work the extrafloral nectaries on the stipules found in many Vicia species.
Flowering
Depending on sowing time it flowers for 3–4 weeks between April and June; autumn-sown crops flower earlier.
Honey and pollen
It does not give a honey of its own; it contributes to mixed spring honeys. Its pollen contribution is low.
Note for the beekeeper
Setting up an apiary near large fields of it supports spring build-up. For any spraying during flowering, it is important to agree with the farmer that it is done in the evening.