Vicia is a genus of over 240 species of flowering plants that are part of the legume family (Fabaceae), and which are commonly known as vetches. Vicia means “binder” in Latin; this was the name used by Pliny for vetch. Vicia unijuga, commonly called two-leaf vetch, is native to Northeast Asia, where it is widespread, its range extending through China, Korea, Mongolia, Japan, Russia. It is found in a variety of forested and open habitats. It is a perennial that produces purple flowers in the summer and fall. Vicia unijuga historically included the similar-looking Vicia ohwiana, which has now been given the rank of species.
