20-30+/-% protein?! That's massive! What do you know about the difference between "crude" protein and protein that's nutritionally useful, such as the protein values reported for meats or beans? I did a little research and found a technical definition, but it's unclear to me whether the characterization of vetch protein as "crude" protein means or does not mean that vetch could be a good meat substitute in situations where meat is either scarce or avoided.

I've always seen this plant as a weed (except once when I tried to use it as a ground cover to stabilize a slope), but now I'm seeing it as something I need to keep around. Which I suppose is the whole point of this discussion group. Thank you.

I'm going to be on the lookout for this one. I think I've seen it before but with this introduction I may be able to positively identify it if I see it again. Is it growing now in the mountains of Tennessee/North Carolina? (I ask because I believe we live in the same region)

@Jade Adams I wish! In my little freeze-dried snacks business, freeze-dried Skittles are a best-seller. It'd sure be great if I could grow them. Hmm... maybe I should try planting some. I do have another product made by freeze-drying Charleston Chews candy. Because of what they look like after freeze-drying, and because I can't use the trademarked Charleston Chews name on my label, I call them "Giraffe Eggs." I tell people "They can be invasive, so don't plant them unless you want giraffes all over your yard."

Lest I paint myself as antithetical to the spirit of this community, we do sell more fruit and vegetables than candy.

Many people are not aware that strawberries are equally or nearly equally as nutritious as blueberries.

@Ali S And they're usually cheaper, too.

Thanks for the reminder of this plant's name. I saw some the other day and thought, "I should know that one," but I couldn't come up with the name. I think I have a mental block from confusing it with ragweed.