A seed weed or plant? (flowers, growing, hostas, north)

[Kayekaye]

This seed or bean plant has sprouted on my hill of hostas. I've never seen them before and there are several growing. It's a vine sort of plant with oblong leafs on either side symmetrically and two or three inch bean pods. No flowers that I recall, or buds, though how do you get pods without buds and flowers? Zone 3, north facing hill.

[jacqueg]

You obviously missed seeing the flowers, but you are absolutely right - that's some kind of legume there.

Legumes are a very large group of plants. Your plant reminds me of hairy vetch, but there are so many things it could be that I would not take that to the bank. Go ahead and pull it if you don't want it there, or leave it if it doesn't bother you. It certainly won't bother the hostas.

I like legumes, and often leave the strays that appear - they are good pollinator feeders, improve your soil, and often play well with others.

White clover is an exception - OK in the lawn, but not the flowerbeds, because it makes a really tough mat. But you'll have to get to know your own local legumes.

[GoNative]

see above my opinion

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by GoNative

see above my opinion

Hmmm, I have to disagree. Although I'm not personally familiar with sickle-pod, its pods are long, slender, and sickle-shaped. https://www.plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SEOB4 and click on the "Images" tab.

The pods on the OP's plant look like plump, stubby pea pods, which is what vetch pods look like. But as I said, legumes are a huge group of plants, with about 19,000 species. There are more than 100 species of vetch alone.

Chickpeas also have short, stubby pods - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpea

[azoria]

Vetch.

Vetch photos with seed pods: https://www.google.com/search?q=vetc...HXA-BroQsAQIJQ

[Kayekaye]

Looks like Vetch. I think I will get busy and yank them out. Don't want a hill full of them. Thanks all!