Crown Vetch Traditional Cache

Crown Vetch is a pink little beauty that's used a lot for erosion control along our highways. This is a true park and grab.

Securigera varia (synonym Coronilla varia), commonly known as crownvetch^[2] or purple crown vetch, is a low-growing legume vine. It is native to Africa, Asia and Europe and is commonly used throughout the United States and Canada for erosion control, roadside planting and soil rehabilitation. It has become an invasive species in many states of the US.

Crownvetch grows 1 to 2 feet tall and bears small clusters of 1/2-inch pink and white flowers from early summer to late fall. The variety Penngift produces mounds of pink flowers. Crownvetch is a tough, aggressive spreading plant that will crowd out its neighbors in a show garden but is well suited to a sunny bank, where it will grow for decades with little to no fertilizing, mowing, or weeding since the thick foliage prevents weeds from growing amongst it.^[3] Its deep, tenacious, complex root system ^[4] and thick, fern-like leaves provide excellent erosion control where it is used as a ground cover. However, this legume has a very long germination period of about 6 months and does not create full coverage until two or three years later.

Crownvetch is toxic to horses and other non-ruminants because of the presence of nitroglycosides. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or even death. However, this is not true for ruminant animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep.^[5] These aliphatic nitro compounds are degraded in ruminant digestion and do not affect the animals.

Crownvetch has been identified as an invasive in several midwestern states. It is very hard to eradicate once established.

Crown vetch was introduced throughout North America in the 1950s for erosion control, particularly along roadways. It is still being sold and used in many states that have not officially declared it to be invasive.

 

 

Crown vetch’s main impact is the displacement of native plant species from their habitats. Although it can provide forage for some species, it prevents native flowers and shrubs from establishing in open areas. This, in turn, can be detrimental to native animals and insects which rely upon those native plants or the conditions they provide for food or shelter. 

 

 

The cache is tied in. It is a camoed "small" pill bottle with a snap lid. An arrow shows where to push up to open. There's a rolled log with a rubber band, that makes it easy to fit in the tiny plastc bag. Please BYOP and make sure you snap the lid shut all around when you are done. No tweezers, please, they kill the plastic.