Bush Vetch
Vicia sepium
Vicia sepium or bush vetch is a species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. A nitrogen-fixing, perennial, leguminous climbing plant that grows in hedgerows, grasslands, the edges of woodland, roadsides and rough ground.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_sepium
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Vicia
Bush Vetch belongs to the family Fabaceae, order Fabales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Vicia sepium or bush vetch is a species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. A nitrogen-fixing, perennial, leguminous climbing plant that grows in hedgerows, grasslands, the edges of woodland, roadsides and rough ground. It occurs in western Europe, Crimea of Ukraine, Russia including Siberia, Caucasus and Central Asia. It can also be found in eastern Canada, north-eastern states of the USA and, where suitable habitat occurs, in Greenland. It is native to, and has been recorded in, almost all parts of Britain, Ireland and associated islands.
Bush Vetch faces significant pressure from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and conversion of traditional grasslands and meadows to monoculture farming systems. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in land management practices, including reduced grazing regimes and increased use of herbicides, which eliminate the semi-natural habitats it depends upon.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Bush Vetch occupies grasslands, meadows, woodland edges, hedgerows, and scrubland, typically in areas with well-drained soils and partial shade. The species thrives in semi-natural habitats maintained by traditional agricultural practices, including grazed pastures and hay meadows.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and habitat conversion
Loss of traditional grazing management
Fragmentation of grassland habitats
Herbicide application in agricultural areas
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bush Vetch (Vicia sepium). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bush-vetch