Common Name:

General Information

Vicia japonica is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant growing 80 - 120cm tall. The stems scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation where they attach themselves by means of tendrils[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern Siberia, Russian Far east, Mongolia, Northern China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Thickets and grassy places from the sea shore to the mountains[]. Forests and forest edges[]. Forest margins, hill slopes, valleys, meadows, riverbanks; at elevations from 600 - 3,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	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

Young leaves - cooked[].

Seed[]. No more details are given but they are likely to require cooking[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring or autumn. 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.