File:Vicia benghalensis stipules Tocal legume trial 2.jpg

English: Introduced cool-season annual C3 legume 40-100 cm tall. Stems are straggling, climbing or trailing and have multiple laterals branching from near the base; in early stages they are more erect than any other Vicia species. Leaves are pinnate with 5-9 pairs of oblong narrow leaflets and a branched tendril at the apex. Flowerheads are 1-sided racemes. Flowers are pea-like and have a densely hairy calyx and dark reddish purple petals. Pods are flat, hairy and 25-40 mm long x 8-11 mm wide. Flowering is mostly in spring. A native of native to southern Europe and northern Africa, it is a sown pasture, forage or green manure plant. Less resistant to grazing than common vetches. Regrowth is very dependent on rain or available moisture after grazing. Palatable for grazing and for hay/silage making. Should be grazed only after 10 nodes (>40cm tall) and up to flowering. Earlier grazing leads to plant death. Grazing once seed set occurs can cause poisoning or even death of livestock.