Sainfoin
Onobrychis viciifolia
- Layer 4 · Herbaceous
- Nitrogen fixer
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Native to central and southern Europe, sainfoin is a deep-rooted perennial legume. In a food forest, it plays a pivotal role in fixing nitrogen in the soil and attracting bees.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the sainfoin grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Perennial herb up to 0.8 m
- Mature diameter: 0.5 m
- Soils: Loam, Sandy, Limestone
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Planting
- April — Planting
- May — Harvest
- June — Harvest
- July — Harvest
- August
- September — Planting
- October — Planting
- November
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The infusion of its flowers is traditionally used to relieve mild digestive problems.
Where to buy
Grows well with
Central trees this plant has already been paired with.
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It is harvested now — July is one of the harvest months.
See which trees the sainfoin grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
No account needed.
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