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Onobrychis viciifolia
Also called Common sainfoin, Esparcet, Holy-clover, Sainfoin Legume, Vicia Leaved Holy Clover, Sanfoin
Sainfoin is a perennial forage legume from southern and southeastern Europe, grown mainly as livestock fodder rather than as an ornamental. It is best sown in pure stands on a weed-free, well-drained seedbed, and it tolerates drought and frost well but dislikes waterlogging.
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.
To reach high levels of condensed tannins common sainfoin should be sown in pure culture. Due to its low competitiveness, weed infestation has to be controlled, especially in the first year. Normally fertilizer applications are not needed to reach satisfying yields. Nevertheless, slurry or phosphate applications can promote initial growth. Pests and diseases are almost never a serious problem.
Frost and drought tolerance of common sainfoin is higher than in other forage legumes such as alfalfa or different clover species. In contrast, O. viciifolia is much more intolerant to water logging than other forage legumes. Therefore, clayey soils with a bad drainage should be avoided. Also acidic soils are not appropriate for the cultivation of common sainfoin.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Onobrychis viciifolia by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
