Vicia unijuga

Flower name
Vicia unijuga
Scientific name
Vicia unijuga
Alias南天萩, アズキハギ, two-leaf vetch
Place of originJapan and Siberia
Place of floweringFields and footpaths
Flowering seasonJune, July, August, September, October, November

What is Vicia unijuga

Vicia unijuga , Nanten-hagi (Japanese name), or Two-leaf vetch (English nameNanten-hagi, also known as two-leaf vetch, ), Scientific Name: Vicia unijuga, is a deciduous perennial herb belonging to the legume family. It grows naturally in mountainous areas throughout Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and China.

The plant grows to a height of 30-100 cm.
Its stem is erect with ridges and lacks tendrils.
Leaves have petioles and stipules at the base. They are odd-pinnate with only 2 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to elliptic with hairy margins.
Flowering occurs from June to November, with racemes 5-7 cm long bearing 8-20 small red flowers. Flowers cluster densely at the tip.
After flowering, elongated pod-like fruits develop.

Flower Resemblance:
Plants similar to Nanten-hagi: Kasumagusa, Suzumenoendou, Karasu no Endou, etc.

Origin of the Name:
The Japanese name "Nanten-hagi" comes from its leaves resembling Nandina (Nanten) and its flowers resembling Hagi (Lespedeza). Another alias, "Azuki-hagi" or "Azukina," refers to its fragrance similar to that of azuki beans.

Young shoots can be blanched and eaten in salads, tempura, or deep-fried.

Common Name: Vicia unijuga , Nanten-hagi
Scientific Name: Vicia unijuga
Other Names: Azuki-hagi, Futaba-hagi
English Name: Two-leaf vetch
Native Range: Japan, Korean Peninsula, China
Distribution: From Hokkaido to Kyushu, Japan
Habitat: Mountainous areas
Taxonomic Classification: Angiosperms, Eudicots, Fabales, Fabaceae, Vicia
Growth Form: Perennial herb
Height: 30-100 cm
Tendrils: None
Stem: Erect with ridges
Petiole: Present + stipules at the base
Leaf Shape: Odd-pinnate compound leaves (2 leaflets)
Length of Leaflet: 7 cm
Leaf Width: 3 cm
Leaflet Shape: Ovate to elliptic
Leaf Margin: Hairy
Flowering Period: June to November
Inflorescence: Raceme
Length of Inflorescence: 5-7 cm
Number of Flowers per Inflorescence: 8-20
Flower Color: Reddish-purple
Flower Arrangement: Dense clusters at the tip
Fruit Shape: Elongated pod
Fruit Type: Legume
Uses: Young shoots are edible as wild vegetables.