Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Taxonomic Treatment
Key to the species of Vicia in Korea
Discussion
Introduction
The genus Vicia L. belongs to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family, with approximately 150-210 species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America, most of which are found in the Mediterranean (Al-Joboury, 2017; Cacan et al., 2016). Traditionally, species in the genus Vicia are economically important as medicine, food, feed, ground cover, and ornamental plants (Hanelt and Mettin, 1989).
The genus Vicia is distinguished from the related genera Pisum L., Lens Mill., and Lathyrus L. in the tribe Vicieae DC. by style shape and style pubescence (Choi et al., 2006; Endo and Ohashi, 1995; Kupicha, 1976). Furthermore, the genus Vicia is divided into two subgenera, subgenus Vicia (17 sections) and subgenus Cracca (Dumort.) Peterm. [= Vicilla (Schur) Rouy, 5 sections], based on the presence of stipule nectaries, relative peduncle length subtending leaves, and the number of flowers per inflorescence (Kupicha, 1976; Leht, 2009). In Korea, 17-25 species of Vicia have been recognized, and among them, Vicia sepium L., Vicia villosa Roth. and Vicia dasycarpa Ten. are reported as naturalized species (Choi, 2018; Korea National Arboretum, 2021a; 2021b).
Vicia grandiflora Scop., commonly known as large yellow vetch, is an annual herb that is distributed from Central and Southern Europe to Central Asia and Iran (Ball, 1968; Rhodes, 2016). This plant was introduced into North America, probably as a forage material for grazing animals. It has spread throughout the southeast and is found in disturbed habitats in North America (Native Plant Trust, 2021). It has also been reported as a naturalized plant in Japan (Mito, 2004; Okuyama, 1963). Recently, this species has been found in Baekun-ri, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea (Fig. 1), and it has not been reported previously. In this study, we provide information about its habitat and distribution in Korea, a description of the morphological characteristics, and photographs to help manage this potentially invasive alien plant.
Materials and Methods
Morphological observations of the new alien species were conducted using living plants and herbarium specimens in 2021. Field photographs were captured using a Nikon Coolpix P510 camera (Tokyo, Japan). Morphological characteristics were measured using a Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Absolute Digimatic Vernier caliper (Kanagawa, Japan), and the data were derived from field notes. The examined material was deposited in the Korea National Arboretum (KH). To construct a key for the identification of the genus Vicia in Korea, reference was made to Choi (2018) and Ohwi (1965).
Results
Taxonomic Treatment
Vicia grandiflora Scop., Fl. Carniol., ed. 2. 2:65, 1772. - TYPE: [Yugoslavia] Carniolia, Tergestus, D. D. Krapf. Cujunia grandiflora (Scop.) Alef., Bonplandia 9: 101, 1861
Korean name: Keun-no-rang-kkot-gal-kwi (큰노랑꽃갈퀴)
Annual herb, 30-60 ㎝ in height. Stem ascending or climbing, pubescent or subglabrous. Stipule ovate to semi-hastate, tapering, entire or few-toothed at base, with an abaxial nectary, 3-5 ㎜ long. Leaves even-pinnate, terminal leaflet replaced by a branched tendril; leaflets 3-7 pairs, obovate to oblong or even linear, 10-30 × 4-10 ㎜, apex retuse to obtuse, entire, both surfaces glabrescent. Inflorescence axillary, reduced raceme, 1-3 flowers; peduncle very short. Flowers cream or yellow, 23-32 ㎜ long; pedicels much shorter than calyx; calyx tubular, slightly tapering, light green, 10-15 ㎜ long; lobes 5, subequal, lanceolate to subulate, shorter than tube, abaxial surface densely pubescent; standard petals stenonychioid, apex emarginate, yellow sometimes violet-tinged, abaxial surface glabrous; wing petals much shorter than standard but longer than keel; keel petal obtuse at apex, black at tip; stamens 10, diadelphous (9 + 1); pistil linear, style dorsiventrally compressed, bearded abaxially below stigma. Legumes broadly linear, compressed, glabrous or sparingly pubescent, apex acuminate, black, 3.5-5 ㎝ long. Seed reniform, glabrous, brown, 4-6 ㎜ wide; hilum 2/3-3/4 of seed circumference.
Phenology: April to June.
Habitat and ecology: Vicia grandiflora occurs in shrubby areas, fields, herbaceous glades, rarely in forests, mountains up to 1,800 m and in other disturbed sites (Fedchenko, 1972; Maxted, 1995). In Korea, based on field observations, this species was found in disturbed sites near cultivated land along with Galium spurium L. and Bothriospermum tenellum (Hornem.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey., Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Calystegia pubescens Lindl., Rubia cordifolia L., Bromus japonicus Thunb., Morus alba L, Amorpha fruticosa L., and Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr.
Specimens examined: Korea. Chungcheongbuk-do: Okcheon-gun, Baekun-ri, 28 May 2021, K. H. Lee and D. H. Kim 210528-1, 210528-2, 210528-3 (KH)
Taxonomic note: Vicia grandiflora shows morphological similarities with Vicia sativa complex (V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. sativa subsp. nigra) in being annual and having leaves with a branched tendril at apex and stipules with nectariferous spot on the abaxial side. Despite these similarities, there are clear differences between these two species as V. grandiflora has undivided ovate to semi-hastate stipules of the upper leaves, yellowish petals, large size of flower, and elongated hilum (Fig. 2; Table 1).
Table 1.
Morphological comparison between Vicia grandiflora and its related species Vicia sativa complex
Key to the species of Vicia in Korea
1.Stipules with nectariferous spot on abaxial surface; flowers solitary or in reduced racemes; style bearded abaxially below stigma (Subgenus Vicia).
2.Annual herbs; calyx teeth subequal.
3.Stipule of the upper leaves semi-hastate to sagittate, bifid; petals reddish purple; flowers about 1.5 ㎝ long; hilum less than half of seed circumference.
4.Leaflets of upper leaves obovate or oblong, 15-30 ㎜ long, 2-6 ㎜ wide; flowers about 2 cm long; legumes 5-8 ㎝ long
V. sativa subsp. sativa 살갈퀴
4.Leaflets of upper leaves linear or oblong, 15-25 ㎜ long, 4-6 ㎜ wide; flowers about 1.5 ㎝ long; legumes 3-5 ㎝ long
V. sativa subsp. nigra 가는살갈퀴
3.Stipule of the upper leaves ovate to semi-hastate, undivided; petals cream to yellow; flowers about 3 ㎝ long; hilum over half of seed circumference
V. grandiflora 큰노랑꽃갈퀴
2.Perennial herbs; calyx teeth unequal, lowermost much longer than others
V. sepium 구주갈퀴덩굴
1.Stipules without nectariferous spot; flowers in pedunculate racemes; style pubescent all around (Subgenus Cracca).
5.Racemes few-flowered; flowers small, 3-7 ㎜ long.
6.Flowers 1-3 per raceme, pale bluish purple; calyx teeth shorter than tube; legumes glabrous; seeds 3-6 per legume
V. tetrasperma 얼치기완두
6.Flowers 3-7 per raceme, whitish purple; calyx teeth longer than tube; legumes pubescent; seeds 1 or 2 per legume
V. hirusta 새완두
5.Racemes many-flowered; flowers larger, 10-20 ㎜ long.
7.Erect or ascending herbs; leaves without tendrils or nearly so.
8.Leaflets 2
V. unijuga 나비나물
8.Leaflets more than 4.
9.Leaflets apex spine-like point developed, elliptic or obovate, broadest at middle, rather thick
V. nipponica 네잎갈퀴나물
9.Leaflets apex spine-like point undeveloped, ovate to lanceolate, broadest near base, rather thin.
10.Leaflets 4-8; stipules deciduous; petals purplish yellow
V. chosenensis 노랑갈퀴
10.Leaflets 6-14; stipules persistent; petals purple.
11.Leaflets ovate to narrowly ovate, apex acute in Korean plants; racemes 2-4 ㎝ long, loosely flowered; flowering Jun. to Jul. in Korea
V. venosa var. cuspidata 광릉갈퀴
11.Leaflets lanceolate, apex acuminate or acute; racemes 1-2 ㎝ long, densely flowered; flowering May
V. hirticalycina 나래완두
7.Climbing or prostrate herbs; leaves with tendrils.
12.Leaflets 4-10.
13.Tubers absent; leaflets ovate, 3-5 ㎝ long, apex acute or obtuse
V. pseudorobus 큰등갈퀴
13.Tubers present; leaflets obovate or lanceolate, 1-2.5 ㎝ long, apex truncate or emarinate
V. bungei 들완두
12.Leaflets 10-24.
14.Leaflets 16-24, narrowly oblong to broadly linear; lowest calyx teeth as long as or longer than tube.
15.Annual herbs; limb of standard shorter than claw.
16.Stem villous; lower calyx teeth longer than tube; stipule ovate, up to 5 ㎜ wide
V. villosa 벳지
16.Stem glabrous or appressed pubescent; stipules linear, less than 3 ㎜ wide
V. dasycarpa 각시갈퀴나물
15.Perennial herbs; limb of standard as long as or longer than claw
V. cracca 등갈퀴나물
14.Leaflets 10-16, oblong, elliptic, ovate; all calyx teeth shorter than tube.
17.Stipules large; lateral nerves of leaflets forming an angle of less than 30° with the midrib; plants dark brown when dry; rachis longer than peduncle; ovary covered with glandular hairs
V. amoena 갈퀴나물
17.Stipules small; lateral nerves of leaflets forming an angle of more than 30° with the midrib; plants green or yellowish green when dry; rachis shorter than peduncle; ovary glabrous.
18.Leaflets pubescent; flowers 1.2-1.5 ㎝ long; calyx 6-7 ㎜ long, lateral teeth ca. 2 ㎜ long; style dorsally compressed
V. japonica 넓은잎갈퀴
18.Leaflets nearly glabrous; flowers 0.8-1 ㎝ long; calyx 5-5.5 ㎜ long, lateral teeth ca. 1-1.5 ㎜ long; style terete
V. amurensis 벌완두
Discussion
Vicia grandiflora is native to Central and Southeast Europe, Central Asia, and Iran. This species has been introduced into Eastern USA as a winter annual for green manuring and as a pasture crop. In North America, it has spread throughout the southeast and is found in disturbed habitats (Hanelt and IPK, 2001). Further, in Japan, its naturalization was reported in Chiba Prefecture in 1963 (Okuyama, 1963), and its additional distribution was reported in Mie Prefecture in 1997 (Ota, 1997). Therefore, this species has been managed as an invasive alien plant in the USA and Japan (Mito, 2004; Swearingen and Bargeron, 2016). In this study, V. grandiflora was found to be distributed mainly on a cultivated land and forming small populations (population size, < 100 mature individuals). Although it is difficult to trace how this species was introduced from its native location to Korea, considering the habitat environment, it is thought to have been unintentionally introduced with a fertilizer or livestock feed as Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort. (Kim et al., 2021).
Hence, it is a casual alien plant that is distributed mainly on cultivated land and forms small populations. It is unknown whether this species will continue to settle in Korea. However, there is a possibility that it will spread, as in USA and Japan, and it is necessary to monitor whether it spreads and how it will affect the ecosystem in the future.
