Vicia americana is in the pea family Fabaceae. Commonly known as american vetch, it is widespread throughout the United States and Canada where it grows in meadows and hillsides. American vetch is an herbaceous vining perennial that can produce a 4 foot long taproot to anchor itself as it scrambles along the forest floor and on top of other plants. Like other species of vetch, the shoots, leaves, pods, and seeds are all edible.
