Vicia faba L.

Erect annual; stems ± glabrous, squared. Lvs ± glabrous; tendrils 0, the rachis terminated by a short mucro; leaflets in 1–3 pairs, often alternate, elliptic, 40–80 mm long; stipules entire or dentate and with 1, adaxial, basal lobe. Infl. much < lvs, 1–4–(6)-flowered. Peduncle much < fls. Pedicel 2–3 mm long. Calyx somewhat gibbous at base; calyx teeth unequal; lower teeth < tube; upper teeth much < tube. Corolla usually white or tinged reddish purple, with black spots on wings and black stripes, 20–30 mm long; limb of standard ± = or > claw. Pod densely puberulent but becoming sparsely puberulent when mature, brown, few-seeded, up to 200 mm long; seeds ovoid-oblong, compressed, 20–30 mm long; hilum ⅛ of circumference.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.