AMERICAN VETCH 



Vicia americana Muhlenberg 



American vetch is one of the most graceful and beautiful mem- 

 bers of its group. It loves moist ground, and may be found in open 

 meadows, in brushy thickets, or even in the forest. It is a weak vine, 

 clinging for support to its neighbors by the forked tendrils which tip 

 the leaves in a hold almost impossible to disentangle. The fruit is a 

 small flat pod. 



American vetch ranges widely, being found from Virginia west to 

 Arizona and north to New Brunswick and Alaska. 



The specimen sketched was obtained near Banff, Alberta, Canada, 

 at an altitude of 4,000 feet 



PLATE I^O 



