What is "vicia orobus"

Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.]

1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.

2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day.

3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.

   It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God.
   --Jer. ii. 19.

4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.

   Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
   --Col. iii. 19.

5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.

   The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage.
   --Ex. i. 14.

   Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth.

   Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine amara.

   Bitter earth (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.

   Bitter principles (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.

   Bitter salt, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.

   Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia.

   To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous.

   Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious.

Vicia orobus is a species of leguminous plant in the genus Vicia, known as wood bitter-vetch. It is found in Atlantic areas of Europe, especially in the rocky edges of seasonally-grazed fields. It grows up to tall, and has no tendrils at the ends of its pinnate leaves. Its flowers are white with purple veins, and are borne in groups of 6 or more.