Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,357 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Tufted Vetch: observations by month (U.S.)
About Tufted Vetch
Vicia cracca (tufted vetch, cow vetch, bird vetch, blue vetch, boreal vetch), is a species of vetch native to Europe and Asia. It occurs on other continents as an introduced species, including North America, where it is a common weed. It often occurs in disturbed habitats, including old-fields and roadside ditches.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Tufted Vetch by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 431 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 312 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 187 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maine | 156 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 120 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Connecticut | 44 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Alaska | 35 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Minnesota | 16 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 12 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 7 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Michigan | 5 | October | Oct–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Tufted Vetch?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Tufted Vetch most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, New York, Massachusetts.