contrasts
vetch sounds like something you do after a bad chicken mcnugget, and yet the complicated sweet-pea leaves of this lowly roadside weed are among my very favorites. i love the lacy symmetrical shape, made more elegant by that pronounced seam down the middle of each leaflet. i also love how the duller, matte undersides of the leaves give everything a two-toned green and silver shimmer, like wind through an olive grove.
crown vetch leaves
We have something similar here in Arkansas called “Winter’s Vetch” except it has lovely little purple blossoms all over. It’s one of my favorite wildflowers.
We have something similar here in Arkansas called “Winter’s Vetch” except it has lovely purple blossoms covering the spines of the leaves. It’s one of my favorite spring wildflowers.