Crown Vetch [Securigera varia (L.) Lassen]
Synonym: Coronilla varia L.
DESCRIPTION
Crown vetch is a perennial legume that reproduces by
seeds and spreads vegetatively. It can form large clumps from creeping
stems. The stems can be up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. Crown vetch has
rhizomes up to 10 feet (3.04 meters) long which allow the plant to spread
rapidly. The vegetative growth habit can rapidly cover and shade out native
vegetation. A single plant may fully cover 70 to 100 square feet within
a four year period (Anonymous,1963). The compound leaves consist of 15-25
pairs of oblong leaflets. The flowers are pinkish and are clustered in
umbels on long stalks. The flowers develop into narrow, flattened pods.
The agent of dispersal is not known, however animals may play a role in
dispersal since some populations have turned up miles from a nearby seed
source. The seeds are reported to be poisonous (Steyermark, 1963). Crown
vetch blooms from May through August. It is found most easily during blooming,
when its profuse pinkish blossoms are conspicuous.
SIMILAR SPECIES
Crown vetch is distinguished from other plants in the legume family by the following characteristics: 1) compound leaves with an odd number of leaflets ranging between 15-25, 2) the presence of leaves and flower stalks arising from the main stem, and 3) the occurrence of flowers in an umbel. Crown vetch should be accurately identified before attempting any control measures. If identification of the species is in doubt, the plant's identity should be confirmed by a knowledgeable individual and/or by consulting appropriate books.
DISTRIBUTION
The natural distribution of crown vetch is Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa. It is introduced or naturalized in the United States from Maine to South Dakota, south to Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. It is widespread in Missouri, having been extensively planted on rights-of-way along the interstate highway system.
HABITAT
Crown vetch has been grown extensively in the northern two-thirds of the United States for temporary ground cover, erosion control, and as a green fertilizer crop. It is also used as a bank stabilizer along roads and waterways. This plant prefers open, sunny areas. It occurs along roadsides and other rights-of-way, in open fields and on gravel bars along streams.
LIFE HISTORY
Flowers appear from May to August. Crown vetch is a perennial, herbaceous plant that can spread rapidly by seed and by its multi-branched, creeping rhizomes.
EFFECTS UPON NATURAL AREAS
Crown vetch is a serious management threat to natural areas due to its seeding ability and rapid vegetative spreading by rhizomes. This aggressive exotic is now widespread along roadsides, from where it may become a serious invader of Missouri's natural areas.
Control Recommendations
Repeated late spring mowing has shown some success (Heim, 1990). Probably the best method would be to perform several mowings per year over several years. If not completely controlling crown vetch, mowing offers a method of stopping its spread. Mowing around the periphery of a natural area threatened by crown vetch may keep the vetch from spreading into the natural area vegetatively but will not control the spread of seeds. Herbicides, at the present time, appear to be the most effective means of control. Three different herbicides (2,4-D amine, Triclopyr, and Glyphosate) have been used with varying success. Another herbicide that shows some promise, but has not been tested sufficiently yet is Clopyralid
2,4-D amine is sold under a number of trade names. The amine, low volatility formation should probably be used over the high volatility ester formulation. Drift can become a problem with the ester formulation. 2,4-D amine applied during the growing season will kill back the above ground portions, although there has been some survival of crown vetch in treated areas. This ineffectiveness of the herbicide could be the result of incomplete treatment, or re-establishment through seeds. There are some formulations of 2,4-D amine made just for controlling legumes. These formulations have not been tried, but may do a better job of controlling crown vetch. 2,4-D amine has the advantage of being dicot specific, so grasses will not be harmed.
Glyphosate, sold under the trade name Roundup has also been successful, but not 100%. A 1- 1.5% solution of Glyphosate has been used and has killed back crown vetch with results similar to 2,4-D amine. It is believed that incomplete herbicide coverage was the reason for survival of crown vetch in some treated areas. Many crown vetch infestations may be a single plant or only a few plants, and it may be necessary to get uniform coverage over all the above ground stems. Small populations of single plants have been successfully controlled using Glyphosate. Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide, so any other plants covered with the herbicide will be affected. Rodeo should be used, rather than Roundup, for infestations along streams or near any other aquatic community.
Triclopyr, under the trade name Garlon 3A has shown the most promise to date. A 2% solution has been successful in killing 99% of the crown vetch in large infestations. The 1% survival rate may be due to incomplete coverage or re-establishment by seeds. It is thought that incomplete coverage may be the reason for less than total control. Triclopyr has the advantage that it is dicot specific. Some brown out of grasses may occur but is usually only temporary. Another herbicide that may be successful is Clopyralid under the trade name Transline. Transline is more specific than Triclopyr, it is quite effective on the plant families: Compositae, Leguminosae, and Polygonaceae, with very little effect on most grasses and most other plant families (Colby, et al., 1989). Because of the very specific nature of Clopyralid, fewer non-target species will be affected. Clopyralid has been successful in controlling crown vetch along roadsides (Mike Stafford, pers. com.). There is no research on the relative success of Clopyralid. Clopyralid shows promise, but more research is needed.
These herbicides can be used as spot treatment with backpack sprayers, or can be used with high volume equipment (e.g. booms). Whichever herbicide is used it appears that complete coverage of all crown vetch stems is necessary. The spray on the leaves should be thorough to the point of runoff. Prior prescribed burning will be helpful to remove accumulated plant litter to insure complete herbicide coverage of the foliage. It is necessary to perform a follow-up treatment to get any stems missed or new seedlings. By law, herbicides may only be applied according to label directions.
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS ON CONTROL OF CROWN VETCH
Crown vetch spreads rapidly and appears to be difficult to control. Several years of treatment may be necessary to totally eradicate crown vetch from a natural community. It is important to prevent any seed production as well as to control the vegetative spread. It is useful to map locations of infestations so that they can be readily located in future years. When crown vetch is blooming its many pink blossoms make it quite noticeable and easy to locate. New populations can be located and treated during blooming. Previously located populations should be treated earlier and retreated later.
Crown vetch has many characteristics that make it a tough exotic to control. It is necessary to locate it early and start treatment early. Watch for it along highway rights-of-way and eradicate it before it invades a natural area.
Seedlings and resprouts can be difficult to locate in native vegetation. Thick native vegetation can make detection of small plants difficult. Prescribed burning may be useful in removing litter for detection, but later in the season some plants may go unnoticed.
Failed or Ineffective Practices
Prescribed burning alone has not been successful. Prescribed burning may be effective against seedlings or in slowing the spread of crown vetch, but it will not control large populations. Large populations of crown vetch will shade out all other vegetation and there is not enough fuel in crown vetch vegetation to carry a fire. The periphery of the crown vetch where there is some grass fuel may be set back, but the center of the population will not be affected.
Adapted from material written for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
by: Jim Heim Illinois Department of Conservation Castle Rock State Park
R.R. 2 Oregon, Illinois 61061 and by:
William Glass Natural Heritage Biologist Illinois Department of Conservation
100 First National Bank Plaza Suite 10 Chicago Heights, Illinois 60411
