Louisiana Vetch
Vicia ludoviciana
Observed along Camp Creek east of Carefree, Maricopa Co., Arizona on 25 March 2012.
FLOWERS: The lavender-purple flowers are laterally compressed and rather
small. 
Flowering mostly after spring rains, March and April, depending on elevation.
HERBACEOUS VINE: A weakly twining vine often low and obscure.
FRUIT: Small, ca. 2cm, pod with a few, very small pea-beans.
LEAVES: Compound leaves with the central rachis extended into a twining
tendril for climbing. One to four pairs of leaflets.
RANGE: This plant is found from California east into the southeastern
United States. In Arizona it can be found on the margins of riparian situations
mostly in the springtime.
UNARMED