Family: Fabaceae
crown-vetch, purple crown-vetch
[Coronilla varia L.]
Christopher Noll
Paul Drobot
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Coronilla: diminutive of corina, a "crown," referring to the inflorescence
Plants: loosely-erect perennial, 1'-2' tall forb; forming dense colonies
Leaves: stalkless, pinnately-divided into an odd number (11-25) of leaflets
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long; inflorescence a 1/2" round, dense umbel; blooms May-Sept.
Fruits: long, narrow, 4-angled pods with 3-7 segments surrounding the seeds
Habitat: disturbed sites, roadsides
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Plants: loosely-erect perennial, 1'-2' tall forb; forming dense colonies
Leaves: stalkless, pinnately-divided into an odd number (11-25) of leaflets
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long; inflorescence a 1/2" round, dense umbel; blooms May-Sept.
Fruits: long, narrow, 4-angled pods with 3-7 segments surrounding the seeds
Habitat: disturbed sites, roadsides
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Roadsides, railroad tracks, fields, pastures, marshes, old quarries, thickets, riverbanks, oak woods, prairies, and bluffs. This is a wide-spreading groundcover native to Europe that is used for erosion control, but it is quite aggressive. It was first collected in 1941 and is probably under-collected. Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. (sainfoin), is known from two historical collections without habitat data. It would key to Securigera but differs in its racemose inflorescences and more upright growth habit.
WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Invasive Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Note: INVASIVE. Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Robert Bierman
Paul Drobot
Flora.cyberia
Matthew L. Wagner
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Merel R. Black
Derek Anderson
Paul E. Berry
Kurt Stüber
Botanical Illustration
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson