It is early maturing, ripening seed from spring plants in the north and is characterized by the narrow leaflets. It is suitable for pasturage throughout the Cotton Belt. It may be a troublesome weed in spring wheat. Horse bean, V. faba L., is grown as a feed crop in the United States only in coastal valleys in California, and now much less than formerly. The upright-growing, near glabrous plants have large leaves with broad, oval leaflets.
Weevils infesting the seeds are responsible for reduced usage of horse bean as a feed crop.
Woolypod vetch, V. dasycarpa Ten., is quite similar to hairy or smooth vetch, V. villosa , but is slightly less winter hardy and grows at slightly lower winter temperatures. It is a valuable winter vetch for the Cotton Belt.