+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## SAINFOIN                                                           |
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| ***Onobrychis viciifolia* Scop.**                                     |
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| plant symbol = ONVI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Pullman Plant Materials Center

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Hedysarum onobrychis L., Onobrychis sativa Lam., Onobrychis viciaefolia
Scop., holy grass

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Sainfoin is nonbloating, and it is a preferred forage for cattle, sheep,
deer and elk. They will concentrate their feeding on sainfoin even when
other forages are readily available. Honey bees readily visit the pink
flowers and sainfoin honey is of excellent quality. Sainfoin seed pods
shatter in early fall and the nutritious seed is consumed by birds and
rodents.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Sainfoin is an introduced perennial legume with many tall hollow stems,
60-80 cm or more. Its leaves are compound with 5-l4 pairs of oval-shaped
leaflets and a single leaflet at the tip. Sainfoin has conelike clusters
fragrant, pinkish- red flowers on the end of long stalks. Seed pods are
flat and contain a single dark olive green, brown, or black seed, 4-6
mm. There are 18,000 seeds/pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Sainfoin is adapted to areas of the inland Pacific Northwest that
receive at least 12 inches of annual precipitation. It is also adapted
to much of the Northern Rocky Mountains, Northern Great Plains, and
Northern Great Basin. Sainfoin was introduced to North America from
Eurasia. Sainfoin grows well on a variety of well-drained soils and
performs better than alfalfa on cold soils.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Sainfoin seed is quite large but must not be seeded deeper than ¾ inch.
The seed takes up moisture rapidly and germinates quickly. Seed must be
inoculated with the appropriate rhizobium and planted into a firm,
well-packed seedbed. Seed should be planted in the spring for best
emergence.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

It should not be planted next to shelterbelts because the trees and
shrubs will suffer from indiscriminate browsing and other damage by deer
and elk. Unconsumed seed will readily germinate on a moist soil surface
so adequate residue should left on the field to maintain moist
conditions at the soil surface and promote natural recruitment. Allowing
the plants to periodically make seed will increase stand longevity.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Sainfoin is subject to crown rot and the stands may not persist more
than 5-6 years in areas subject to heavy infection.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Eski' was developed for pasture usage and does not regrow well after
the first clipping/grazing. 'Melrose' was developed in Canada and has
better regrowth. 'Remont' is an older variety and has largely been
replaced by 'Melrose'.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Stannard*, Team Leader/Plant Science Specialist

Pullman Plant Materials Center

Pullman, Washington

##### 

##### 06Feb2002 JLK {#feb2002-jlk .Header-4}