Common Name:

General Information

Vicia bakeri is an annual plant usually growing 30 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas of China, Pakistan, Nepal and India

Habitat

Forests, bush woods, among shrubs, hill slopes, grasslands, roadsides; at elevations from 2,300 - 3.600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise they are best grown in semi-shade[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. They are rich in protein and carbohydrates, but are best soaked before use (the soakwater being discarded) in order to get rid of a bitter substance[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring. An autumn sowing in situ might also succeed. The seed has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.