We call this plant "vetch" and pretty well consider it an invasive species at Cedar Bluff along Lake Huron. Vetch has taken over the south bluff slope and is working its way toward the north sections of the bluff.
A member of the legume family, the plant has a low growing, spreading character. The sweet smell is wonderful on calm evenings. Our concern about having any one plant dominate the bluff surface is that if that plant dies off for any reason -- heat, cold, insects, herbicides, etc. -- then the bluff is vulnerable to erosion. The rest of the bluff is wonderfully multicultural with cedars, daisies, yarrow, goldenrod, grasses, dogwood, poppies, and lots more varietals. But when the vetch takes over, it wins.
Copyright 2011
Wanda Hayes Eichler
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