Vicia faba minuta
| Vicia faba | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Vicia faba minuta (common name: tick bean)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in spring or autumn.
Cultivation: Prefers a fairly heavy loam but succeeds in a sunny position in most soils that are well-drained[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes dry conditions[2].
Sometimes cultivated for its edible seed, though more commonly as a green manure crop[3]. Tick beans are not as winter-hardy as other forms of this species and so are best sown in the spring. The autumn sown varieties are more susceptible to 'chocolate spot' fungus (which can be remedied by the addition of potash to the soil) but are more likely to escape damage from aphis[3].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Range: Long cultivated for its seed, the original habitat is obscure.
Habitat: Not known in a truly wild situation.
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[5][6]. It can be eaten before it is fully ripe in the same way as broad beans, the fully ripe seed requires overnight soaking to soften it before it is cooked.
Leaves - cooked[7]. Used like spinach.
Usage: A good green manure crop, it is best sown in the spring. Relatively fast growing, producing a good bulk and fixing nitrogen[3]. The upright growth is not a very good weed suppresser though.
A fibre is obtained from the stems.
The burnt stems are rich in potassium and can be used in making soap.
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Although often used as an edible seed, there is a report that eating the seed of this plant can cause the disease 'Favism' in susceptible people[8]. Favism only occurs in cases of excessive consumption of the seed (no more details are given[K]) and when
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Woodward, L and P Burge. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre, 1982.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.