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Sainfoin

Onobrychis viciifolia

Sainfoin is a pretty flowering plant that grows in fields and meadows. It has lovely pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies, making it a favorite among pollinators.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Sainfoin has striking upright spikes of pea-like flowers, typically bright pink or purple, often with darker veins. Its leaves are compound, feathery, and made up of many small, oval leaflets, giving it a delicate appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusOnobrychis
Sainfoin
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgespring_blooming trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
Sainfoin

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Honey from Sainfoin is famous for its mild, delicate flavor.

Sainfoin's strong roots are excellent at stopping soil erosion.

The plant's name means 'healthy hay' in French, showing its value.

This plant was once used to help people with digestive problems.

Special abilities

Ability

Soil Supercharger

Sainfoin's roots team up with tiny bacteria to add super important nutrients, called nitrogen, right into the soil.

Ability

Drought Warrior

Its long taproots reach deep into the ground, letting Sainfoin find hidden water even when the topsoil is dry.

Ability

Bloat Buster

Farmers love Sainfoin because its special leaves can be eaten by animals without causing a tummy ache, unlike some other plants.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to mid-summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects abundant nectar

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

common visitor for nectar

eaten by

Domestic sheep

Ovis aries

important forage crop

eaten by

Domestic cattle

Bos taurus

nutritious feed source

symbiotic with

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

fixes nitrogen in roots

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before picking any flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Sainfoin?

30-100 cm

How wide does Sainfoin spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Sainfoin?

1-2 cm

When does Sainfoin bloom?

Late spring to mid-summer

Is Sainfoin edible?

Yes

Is Sainfoin toxic?

None

What is Sainfoin's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Sainfoin pollinated?

Insect

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