Trending: purple crownvetch (Securigera varia) — 925 observations this week
iNaturalist Community
Invasive Species
That pink-and-white flowering vine carpeting the highway median and creeping into trail edges near you is crowding out native wildflowers and grasses — and knowing it by name is the first step to stopping it before it reaches your yard or restoration patch.
Purple crownvetch is a vine with clusters of small pink and white flowers that was brought to North America from Europe to control soil erosion on roadsides. It does that job almost too well — it spreads aggressively and smothers native plants growing nearby. This week, nearly a thousand people spotted and logged it in the wild, making it one of the most-observed plants in the country right now.
Key Findings
925 research-grade observations were submitted to iNaturalist in a single week, placing purple crownvetch among the top trending plant species.
Securigera varia is a non-native invasive legume originally introduced for erosion control that now spreads widely along roadsides, meadows, and disturbed habitats across North America.
The high observation volume reflects peak flowering season, when the plant's distinctive pink-and-white blooms make it easy to identify and photograph.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Purple crownvetch (Securigera varia) is having a standout week on iNaturalist, with 925 research-grade observations logged by citizen scientists. This invasive vine is spreading visibly across roadsides, trails, and disturbed ground, making it one of the most-spotted plants in North America right now.
Abstract Preview
purple crownvetch is among the most observed plant species this week with 925 research-grade observations.
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Securigera varia, commonly known as crownvetch or purple crown vetch, is a low-growing legume vine. It is native to Africa, Asia and Europe and is commonly used throughout the United States and Canada for erosion control, roadside planting and soil rehabilitation. It has become an invasive specie...