Above: Crown Vetch on shore of Lake Wingra in Wingra Park in Madison, Wisconsin. (6/20/20).
Crown Vetch - Securigera varia (Invasive)
Crown Vetch is a herbaceous perennial in the legume family. This species has creeping stems that form dense colonies, growing 2-6' long. Flowers are pinkish to lavender to white and held in clusters.
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive. It is difficult to control and rapidly reproduces via rhizomes that can grow up to 10 feet per year. One plant may grow to completely cover 70-100 sq. feet within 4 years.
Other names: Purple crown-vetch.
For more information on the Crown Vetch, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Crown Vetch.