Sainfoin
Onobrychis viciifolia
Onobrychis viciifolia, also known as O. sativa or common sainfoin was an important forage legume in temperate regions until the 1950s. During the Green Revolution it was replaced by high yielding alfalfa and clover species. Due to its anthelmintic properties, common sainfoin is a natural alternative to drugs to control nematode parasitism in the guts of small ruminants. This is the main reason why O. viciifolia returned to the scientific agenda in recent years.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
At a glance
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Water need
- Low
- Mature height
- 0.6 m
- Maintenance
- Low
- Hardiness
- USDA 4–9
- Layers
- herb
Functional roles
Propagation
How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.
When: Sow spring
Nitrogen fixer for dry, chalky ground; pink flower spikes are superb for bees.
Where to get it
Read more
Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.