XOnobrychis vicifolia - SainfoinX
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Sainfoin -or- holy-clover (Onobrychis vicifolia), family Fabaceae (Pea/Bean)
Not native to North America, these plants have become naturalized in any case. Eurasia was a prime source of the plants. They are found in calcareous soils (lime or chalky). The perennial herbs were introduced to serve as fodder for livestock and to shore up roadsides. As a bulk crop they are not successful since they only produce a single yield per year. The common name Sainfoin actually represents the group of plants in the genus, the numbers of which are said by the USDA Plant Database to be about 21. Wikipedia numbers the total at about 150 including some possibly distinct species. Vicifolia is the only species in Onobrychis in Colorado.
USES: This species is an excellent source of nectar for honey production and pollen for bee food. It is quite nutritious as food for horses and probably other livestock but does not recover well from overgrazing.
FunFact: Onobrychis means "devoured by donkeys", from Ancient Greek ?nos "donkey". This is referring to sainfoin's good properties as a forage plant. In addition to pollination by insects, the seeds have stickers that cling to the fur of large animals who then help distribute them...making them hitch-hikers.
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Plant location: We found these pretty blooms along the roadside of Sheridan Parkway headed south, Broomfield Colorado. June 2, 2010. The plants are fairly widespread throughout the United States.Plant -
Bloom season: June to August and sometimes September. Foliage -
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