Pannonska (Vicia pannonica) – an annual soft-hairy plant of the legume family, distinguished by its high yield potential and resistance to drought and winters. The stem grows ascending, reaching a height of 60–70 cm, and the leaf axis ends with a tendril. Leaves consist of 6–9 pairs of linear or oblong leaflets measuring 12–20 mm in length and 2–4 mm in width; young leaves are heavily hairy, while adult ones are less so. Stipules are small (3–4 mm) and semi-hastate.
Flowers form clusters of 2–4 pieces on short stalks. The calyx is oblique and toothed; the corolla is up to 22 mm in length, yellowish, lighter at the bottom, and covered with dense long hairs. Pods droop, are brown, nearly spherical, with a black velvet surface and a narrow scar. The plant is self-incompatible but cross-pollinated by bees; flowering occurs in June–July, fruiting in July–August.
Pannonska is valued as a forage plant, comparable in protein and nutrient content to lucerne and clover. Thanks to its high drought and winter hardiness, it is especially suitable for dry steppe and mountainous areas, where other Vicia species yield less and are less resistant to diseases. The plant is also promising for reclaiming degraded lands due to low soil and growing conditions requirements. For commercial purposes, Pannonska grain is cleaned to 99% purity, contains 1% grain particles, and has a germination rate of 97–98%, making it suitable for food use and sowing operations.
