sand vetch
Vicia acutifolia
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Vicia
sand vetch belongs to the family Fabaceae, order Fabales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Sand vetch faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native Mediterranean range. The species' specialized requirements for sandy soils and coastal environments make it particularly vulnerable to coastal development and changes in land use practices.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Sandy coastal areas, dunes, and Mediterranean scrublands with well-drained soils, typically found in open grasslands and disturbed sites near the coast. The species shows preference for sandy or gravelly substrates in semi-arid Mediterranean climates.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Sand vetch faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native Mediterranean range. The species' specialized requirements for sandy soils and coastal environments make it particularly vulnerable to coastal development and changes in land use practices.
Agricultural intensification and land conversion
Habitat loss from coastal development
Climate change affecting coastal habitats
Competition from invasive plant species
Overgrazing by livestock
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
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). sand vetch (Vicia acutifolia). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/sand-vetch