Family: Fabaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (but predominantly grows in temperate climates)
- Naturalized on Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
- A disturbance weed that may impact agriculture and the natural environment
- Other Vicia species are invasive
- Allelopathic
- Seeds reported to poison grazing animals (although foliage is palatable)
- Moderate shade tolerance
- Tolerates many soil types
- Smothering habit
- May also form dense cover that can outcompete and potentially exclude other species
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- Annual reproductive cycle (reaches maturity in <1 year)
- Seeds dispersed ballistically as seedpods dry and dehisce, as well as a seed contaminant and through intentional cultivation
- Seeds may persist in the soil for 2+ years
- Tolerates mowing and grazing (i.e., mechanical control methods may be ineffective)
Low Risk Traits:
- As a predominantly temperate species, may only be a risk at cooler, higher elevations on tropical islands
- Not currently regarded as a detrimental weed in the Hawaiian Islands
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable forage plant (despite seed toxicity)
- Predominantly outcrossing (self-fertilization results in reduced seed set)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Seeds are large and not readily dispersed
- Herbicides may provide effective control
