Ervilia hirsuta. Hairy tare. Peasair Arbhair.

Description

Common name:  Hairy tare. (Vicia hirsuta) Peasair arbhair.

General:
This population originates from Co Down. Irish Grid reference: J593448.
Scrambling annual to 80cms. Tiny flowers, white/pale mauve, seed pods with two seeds.

Benefits:
It’s a great little plant, a pioneer of overused ground it fixes nitrogen into the soil and feeds bees, moths and butterflies nectar. It’s a great shelter for small insects, lacewings, parasitic wasps etc., and it’s seeds are edible, like lentils!

Habitat:
Rough ground and grassy places, meadows.

Sowing guidelines:
Sow early spring into a seed tray, prick out when large enough to handle and plant out when big enough. Or sow direct into a clean, weed free seed bed outside.

Cultural history:
Said to be left in crops until after harvest so as not to disturb the target seeds, and easily cleared out afterwards.

Avg contents: 30 seeds.