Onobrychis Transcaspica
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__NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian
perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...
herbaceous plants of the legume family (
Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomen ...
). About 206 species are presently accepted. The
Flora Europaea The ''Flora Europaea'' is a 5-volume encyclopedia of plants, published between 1964 and 1993 by Cambridge University Press. The aim was to describe all the national Floras of Europe in a single, authoritative publication to help readers identify ...
lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of diversity extends from
Central Asia Central Asia is a region of Asia consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The countries as a group are also colloquially referred to as the "-stans" as all have names ending with the Persian language, Pers ...
to
Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
, with 56 species – 27 of which are
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
– in the latter country alone. '' O. viciifolia'' is naturalized throughout many countries in Europe and North America
grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...
s on
calcareous soil Calcareous () is an adjective meaning "mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate", in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. In zoology ''Calcareous'' is used as an adje ...
s.


Description

The leaves are
pinnate Pinnation (also called pennation) is the arrangement of feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis. Pinnation occurs in biological morphology, in crystals, such as some forms of ice or metal crystals, and ...
, alternate, with 6 to 14 pairs of oblong to linear leaflets. Sainfoins have pale pink flowers, typically blooming between June and September and
pollinated Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds. Pollinating agents can be animals such as insects, for example bees, beetles or butterflies; bird ...
by
honey bee A honey bee (also spelled honeybee) is a eusocial flying insect within the genus ''Apis'' of the bee clade, all native to mainland Afro-Eurasia. After bees spread naturally throughout Africa and Eurasia, humans became responsible for the ...
s and
solitary bee Solitary is the state of being alone or in solitude. The term may refer to: * Solitary (album), ''Solitary'' (album), 2008 album by Don Dokken * Solitary (2020 film), ''Solitary'' (2020 film), a British sci-fi thriller film * Solitary (upcoming fi ...
s. The rounded single-seeded pods bear prominent spikes or similar protrusions in many species, enabling them to cling to the fur of large mammals and be thus distributed.


Taxonomy


List of species

The following
species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
are considered at least provisionally valid by the International Legume Database & Information Service; some notable
subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
are also listed: * '' Onobrychis acaulis'' Bornm. * '' Onobrychis aequidentata'' (Sm.) d'Urv. * '' Onobrychis afghanica'' Sirj. & Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis alatavica'' Bajtenov * ''
Onobrychis alba ''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 ...
'' (Waldst. & Kit.) Desv. ** ''Onobrychis alba'' ssp. ''calcarea'' (Vandas) P.W.Ball * '' Onobrychis aliacmonia'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis altissima'' Grossh. * ''
Onobrychis alyassinicus __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Parsa * '' Onobrychis amoena'' Popov & Vved. * '' Onobrychis andalanica'' Bornm. * '' Onobrychis angustifolia'' Chinth. (= ''O. petrae sensu auct. fl. Cauc.'') * ''
Onobrychis arenaria __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the m ...
'' (Kit.) DC. ** ''Onobrychis arenaria'' ssp. ''arenaria'' (= ''O. tanaitica'' Spreng., ''O. viciifolia sensu auct. fl. Ross.'') ** ''Onobrychis arenaria'' ssp. ''sibirica'' (Besser) P.W.Ball (= ''O. tanaitica'' ''sensu auct. non'' Spreng.) ** ''Onobrychis arenaria'' ssp. ''tommasinii'' (Jord.) Asch. & Graebn. * '' Onobrychis argyrea'' Boiss. (= ''O. ornata'') * '' Onobrychis arnacantha'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis atropatana'' Boiss. (=? ''O. heterophylla'' ''sensu'' Trautv.) * '' Onobrychis aucheri'' Boiss. * ''
Onobrychis baldshuanica __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Sirj. * '' Onobrychis bertiscea'' Sirj. & Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis bicornis'' Vassilcz. (validity requires confirmation) * '' Onobrychis biebersteinii'' Sirj. (= ''O. sativa'' ''sensu'' Ledeb.) * '' Onobrychis bobrovii'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis buhseana'' Boiss. * ''Onobrychis "buhseana"'' Bunge (validity requires confirmation) * '' Onobrychis bungei'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis cadevallii'' Jahand. ''et al.'' * ''
Onobrychis caput-galli __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (L.) Lam. Cock's Head * ''
Onobrychis chorassanica __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. (= ''O. circinnata'' ''sensu auct. fl. As. Med. non'' Ledeb., ''O. radiata sensu auct. fl. As. Med., O. vaginalis sensu auct. fl. As. Med.'') * ''
Onobrychis conferta __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (Desf.) Desv. ** ''Onobrychis conferta'' ssp. ''hispanica'' (Sirj.) Guitt. & Kerguelen * '' Onobrychis cornuta'' (L.) Desv. * ''
Onobrychis crista-galli __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (L.) Lam. * '' Onobrychis cyri'' Grossh. (=? ''O. viciaefolia'' ''sensu'' Trautv.) * '' Onobrychis daghestanica'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis darwasicaa'' Vassilcz. * '' Onobrychis dealbata'' Stocks * '' Onobrychis degenii'' Dorfl. * ''
Onobrychis depauperata __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis dielsii'' (Sirj.) Vassilcz. * '' Onobrychis ebenoides'' Boiss. & Spruner * '' Onobrychis echidna'' Lipsky * '' Onobrychis elymaitiaca'' Boiss. & Hausskn. * ''
Onobrychis eubrychidea __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis fallax'' Freyn & Sint. * '' Onobrychis ferganica'' (Sirj.) Grossh. * '' Onobrychis freitagii'' Rech.f. * ''
Onobrychis galegifolia __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis garinensis'' * '' Onobrychis gaubae'' Bornm. * ''
Onobrychis gontscharovii __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Vassilcz. (= ''O. lipskyi'' ''sensu auct. non'' Korovin) * ''
Onobrychis gracilis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Besser (= ''O. longeaculeata'' (Pacz.) Wissjul., ''O. petrae'' ''sensu'' Besser) * '' Onobrychis grandis'' Lipsky * '' Onobrychis grossheimii'' B.Fedtsch. * '' Onobrychis gypsicola'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis hajastana'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis hamata'' Vassilcz. * '' Onobrychis haussknechtii'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis heliocarpa'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis heterophylla'' C.A.Mey. * ''
Onobrychis hohenackerana __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' C.A.Mey. * ''
Onobrychis humilis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (Loefl.) G.López ** ''Onobrychis humilis'' ssp. ''humilis'' ** ''Onobrychis humilis'' ssp. ''matritensis'' (Boiss. & Reut.) Greuter & Burdet (= ''O. longeaculeata'' (Boiss.) Pau) * ''
Onobrychis hypargyrea __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis iberica'' Grossh. * ''
Onobrychis inermis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Steven * '' Onobrychis iranica'' Bornm. * '' Onobrychis iranshahrii'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis jailae'' Czernova * '' Onobrychis kabylica'' (Bornm.) Sirj. * '' Onobrychis kachetica'' Boiss. & Buhse * '' Onobrychis kemulariae'' Chinth. (= ''O. biebersteinii sensu auct. fl. Cauc.'') * ''
Onobrychis kermanensis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the m ...
'' (Sirj. & Rech.f.) Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis kluchorica'' Chinth. * '' Onobrychis komarovii'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis kotschyana'' Fenzl * '' Onobrychis lahidjanicus'' Parsa * '' Onobrychis laxiflora'' Baker (=? ''O. schugnanica'') * '' Onobrychis longipes'' Bunge * '' Onobrychis lunata'' Boiss. * ''
Onobrychis luristanica __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis macrorrhiza'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis major'' (Boiss.) Hand.-Mazz. * '' Onobrychis majorovii'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis mazanderanica'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis megalobotrys'' Aitch. & Hemsl. (= ''O. vaginalis'' ''sensu auct. non'' C.A.Mey. ''non fl. As. Med.'') * '' Onobrychis megaloptera'' Kovalevsk. (=? ''O. chorassanica'' ''sensu'' Nikitina) * '' Onobrychis megataphros'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis melanotricha'' Boiss. (=? ''O. belangeri'', =? ''O. linearis'') * '' Onobrychis mermuelleri'' Podlech & Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis meschetica'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis michauxii'' DC. * '' Onobrychis micrantha'' Schrenk * '' Onobrychis microptera'' Baker * ''
Onobrychis montana __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' DC. * '' Onobrychis nemecii'' Sirj. * '' Onobrychis nikitinii'' Orazm. * '' Onobrychis novopokrovskii'' Vassilcz. * '' Onobrychis nummularia'' Boiss. * ''
Onobrychis oxyodonta __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis oxyptera'' Boiss. * ''
Onobrychis oxytropoides __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the m ...
'' Bunge * ''
Onobrychis pallasii __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (Willd.) M. Bieb. * '' Onobrychis pallida'' Boiss. & Kotschy * '' Onobrychis paucidentata'' Pomel (validity requires confirmation) * '' Onobrychis persica'' Sirj. & Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis petraea'' (Willd.) Fisch. * '' Onobrychis pindicola'' Hausskn. * '' Onobrychis plantago'' Bornm. * '' Onobrychis poikilantha'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis psoraleifolia'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis ptolemaica'' (Delile) DC. * '' Onobrychis ptychophylla'' Sirj. & Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis pulchella'' Schrenk * '' Onobrychis pyrenaica'' (Sennen) Sirj. * '' Onobrychis radiata'' (Desf.) M.Bieb. (= ''O. circinata'' Ledeb. * ''
Onobrychis rechingerorum __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the m ...
'' Wendelbo * '' Onobrychis reuteri'' Leresche * '' Onobrychis ruprechtii'' Grossh. * ''
Onobrychis samanganica __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis saravschanica'' B.Fedtsch. (= ''O. amoena'' ''sensu auct. non'' Popov & Vved., ''O. baldshuanica'' ''sensu auct. non'' Sirj., ''O. baldzuanica'' Sirj., ''O. circinata'' ''sensu auct. non'' Ledeb. ''non fl. As. Med.'') * '' Onobrychis sauzakensis'' Sirj. & Rech.f. * ''
Onobrychis saxatilis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (L.) Lam. * '' Onobrychis schahuensis'' Bornm. * '' Onobrychis schuschajensis'' O.D.Agajeva * '' Onobrychis scrobiculata'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis sennenii'' Sirj. * ''
Onobrychis shahpurensis __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis sintenisii'' Bornm. * ''
Onobrychis sirdjanicus __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' Parsa * '' Onobrychis sojakii'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis sphaciotica'' Greuter * '' Onobrychis spinosissima'' Baker * '' Onobrychis splendida'' Rech.f. & Podlech * ''
Onobrychis stenorhiza __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' DC. * '' Onobrychis stewartii'' Baker * '' Onobrychis subacaulis'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis subnitens'' Bornm. * ''
Onobrychis supina __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' (Vill.) DC. * '' Onobrychis susiana'' Nabelek * '' Onobrychis szovitsii'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis talagonica'' Rech.f. * '' Onobrychis tavernieraefolia'' Boiss. * '' Onobrychis tesquicola'' Krytzka * '' Onobrychis tournefortii'' (Willd.) Desv. * '' Onobrychis transcaspica'' V.V.Nikitin * '' Onobrychis transcaucasica'' Grossh. * ''
Onobrychis transsilvanica __NOTOC__ ''Onobrychis'', the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of ''Onobrychis''; the main centre of div ...
'' * '' Onobrychis vaginalis'' C.A.Mey. * '' Onobrychis vassilczenkoi'' Grossh. * '' Onobrychis verae'' Sirj. (= ''O. lipskyi'' Korovin) * '' Onobrychis venosa'' (Desf).Desv. * ''
Onobrychis viciifolia ''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 ...
'' Scop. (= ''O. sativa'' Lam.) * '' Onobrychis wettsteinii'' Nabelek


Etymology

''Onobrychis'' means "devoured by donkeys", from
Ancient Greek Ancient Greek (, ; ) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the classical antiquity, ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Greek ...
(, "donkey") and (, "to eat greedily"). This refers to sainfoin's good properties as a forage plant for large mammalian
herbivore A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet. These more broadly also encompass animals that eat ...
s. ''Sainfoin'' is derived from
Old French Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France approximately between the late 8th -4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to talk of the beginnings of French, that is, when it wa ...
("healthy hay"). In the words of the 16th-century soil scientist Olivier de Serres:
"The herb is called in France, in Italy , in Provence and the Languedoc . From the inordinate praise the plant has been given, for its medical virtues and for fattening the livestock that graze on it, comes the term ."''L'herbe appellée en France sain-foin, en Italie herba medica, en Provence et Languedoc luzerne. De l'excessive louange qu'on a donné à ceste plante, à cause de sa vertu medecinale et engraissante le bestail qui s'en paist, vient ce mot de sain.''
In northern European languages that have been less influenced by French, the plants' name usually derives from , the
Provençal Provençal may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Provence, a region of France ** Provençal dialect, a dialect of the Occitan language, spoken in the southeast of France ** ''Provençal'', meaning the whole Occitan language * Provenca ...
term for the similar-looking and closely related sweetvetches (''Hedysarum''). Examples are Danish ,
Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...
,
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
, Lithuanian ,
Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Polish people, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken * Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin ...
,
Russian Russian(s) may refer to: *Russians (), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *A citizen of Russia *Russian language, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages *''The Russians'', a b ...
' () and Swedish . Meanwhile, the
Occitan Occitan may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the Occitania territory in parts of France, Italy, Monaco and Spain. * Something of, from, or related to the Occitania administrative region of France. * Occitan language, spoken in parts o ...
name of sainfoin, , has in many languages come to mean species of the related genus ''
Medicago ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean Basin, and extending across temperate Eurasia ...
'', in particular
Alfalfa Alfalfa () (''Medicago sativa''), also called lucerne, is a perennial plant, perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, ...
(''M. sativa''). The native name of the cock's head ('' O. caput-galli'') is one of the few words of the
extinct Extinction is the termination of an organism by the death of its Endling, last member. A taxon may become Functional extinction, functionally extinct before the death of its last member if it loses the capacity to Reproduction, reproduce and ...
Dacian language Dacian () is an extinct language generally believed to be a member of the Indo-European languages, Indo-European language family that was spoken in the ancient region of Dacia. The Dacian language is poorly documented. Unlike Phrygian languag ...
that have been recorded. The Dacians called this plant or .


Distribution and habitat

Sainfoins are mostly
subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones immediately to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Ge ...
plants, but their range extends throughout Europe as far north as southern
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...
. These plants grow on
grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...
,
agricultural land Agricultural land is typically land ''devoted to'' agriculture, the systematic and controlled use of other organism, forms of lifeparticularly the rearing of livestock and production of cropsto produce food for humans. It is generally synonymous ...
and wasteland.


Ecology

''Onobrychis'' species are used as food plants by the
caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...
s of some
Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) or lepidopterans is an order (biology), order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organ ...
species, such as the
case-bearer The Coleophoridae are a family of small moths, belonging to the huge superfamily Gelechioidea. Collectively known as case-bearers, casebearing moths or case moths, this family is represented on all continents, but the majority are found in temp ...
moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...
'' Coleophora colutella'' (recorded on '' O. saxatilis'') and the Damon Blue (''Polyommatus damon'')
butterfly Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea, characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The oldest butterfly fossi ...
.


Uses

These highly nutritious plants were an important
forage Forage is a plant material (mainly plant leaves and stems) eaten by grazing livestock. Historically, the term ''forage'' has meant only plants eaten by the animals directly as pasture, crop residue, or immature cereal crops, but it is also used m ...
for heavy working horses in
agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
, and are still an excellent source of
nectar Nectar is a viscous, sugar-rich liquid produced by Plant, plants in glands called nectaries, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollination, pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to an ...
for honey production as well as
pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by most types of flowers of seed plants for the purpose of sexual reproduction. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced Gametophyte#Heterospory, microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm ...
for bee food. Because sainfoins are rich in
tannins Tannins (or tannoids) are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. The term ''tannin'' is widely applied to any large po ...
which protect
protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
s from
hydrolysis Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution reaction, substitution, elimination reaction, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water ...
in the
rumen The rumen, also known as a paunch, is the largest stomach compartment in ruminants. The rumen and the reticulum make up the reticulorumen in ruminant animals. The diverse microbial communities in the rumen allows it to serve as the primary si ...
, the proteins are instead absorbed in the
abomasum The abomasum, also known as the maw,The Cham ...
. ''Onobrychis'' typically have a deep
taproot A taproot is a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally. Typically a taproot is somewhat straight and very thick, is tapering in shape, and grows directly downward. In some plants, such as the carrot, the taproot ...
and so are very
drought A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions.Douville, H., K. Raghavan, J. Renwick, R.P. Allan, P.A. Arias, M. Barlow, R. Cerezo-Mota, A. Cherchi, T.Y. Gan, J. Gergis, D.  Jiang, A.  Khan, W.  Pokam Mba, D.  Rosenfeld, J. Tierney, ...
resistant, but do not recover well from
overgrazing Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. It can be caused by either livestock in poorly managed agricultural applications, game reserves, or nature ...
. Adapted to slow but steady growth in the
arid Aridity is the condition of geographical regions which make up approximately 43% of total global available land area, characterized by low annual precipitation, increased temperatures, and limited water availability.Perez-Aguilar, L. Y., Plata ...
steppe In physical geography, a steppe () is an ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without closed forests except near rivers and lakes. Steppe biomes may include: * the montane grasslands and shrublands biome * the tropical and subtropica ...
belt of
Eurasia Eurasia ( , ) is a continental area on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. According to some geographers, Physical geography, physiographically, Eurasia is a single supercontinent. The concept of Europe and Asia as distinct continents d ...
, sainfoins are difficult to establish as pasture, are not persistent in grassland, and only yield one crop of
hay Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, either for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, or for smaller domesticate ...
or
seed In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...
s per year. Thus they are seldom grown in any significant extent, though '' O. viciifolia'' is met with somewhat more regularly.


Nutrition

Sainfoin provides a superb forage for grazing animals and voluntary intake of sainfoin by
cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are calle ...
and
sheep Sheep (: sheep) or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are a domesticated, ruminant mammal typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to d ...
is 20% higher than for
grass Poaceae ( ), also called Gramineae ( ), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family (biology), family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and spe ...
. Unlike many other legumes, it is non-bloating and is known to have anthelmintic properties, so reducing the problems associated with livestock
worm Worms are many different distantly related bilateria, bilateral animals that typically have a long cylindrical tube-like body, no limb (anatomy), limbs, and usually no eyes. Worms vary in size from microscopic to over in length for marine ...
s. Sainfoin contains
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
s, and it is these that protect animals against bloat. Sainfoin has also been shown to increase
protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
absorption. This, combined with its other health benefits, mean that animals grazing sainfoin have very rapid liveweight gains, so young stock can be finished sooner and with very good carcass grades. Sainfoin is therefore extremely useful to low input and organic farmers. Yields can be very high at around 16t DM per hectare. Methods and research techniques have been studied and developed to look specifically at Sainfoin polyphenols which include
tannin Tannins (or tannoids) are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and Precipitation (chemistry), precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. The term ''tannin'' is widel ...
s and flavonoids. There are significant differences between Sainfoin types and this will lead to further development of Sainfoin plant breeding. One method for improving
nitrogen Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...
utilisation by ruminants and reduce greenhouse gases (CH, NO), without altering their
nitrogen Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...
and energy value, is to use forages that contain
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
s, such as sainfoin. The
nutritive value Nutritional value or nutritive value as part of food quality is the measure of a well-balanced ratio of the essential nutrients carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins in items of food or diet concerning the nutrient requirements of ...
of sainfoin, despite its lower
nitrogen Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...
content than lucerne, is high. Future research, on the nutritional impact of
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
s is likely not only be based on
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
content, but also include structure-activity considerations. The results obtained, with sheep at maintenance fed a diet containing only sainfoin will be tested with producing animals, for example growing
sheep Sheep (: sheep) or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are a domesticated, ruminant mammal typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to d ...
and
cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are calle ...
, lactating ewes,
goat The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a species of Caprinae, goat-antelope that is mostly kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the ...
s or
cow Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are called co ...
s. In producing animals the diet will comprise different forage sources and supplement feeds. Sainfoin is seldom used as a pure crop and is generally introduced in pasture in a
grass Poaceae ( ), also called Gramineae ( ), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family (biology), family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and spe ...
-legume mix with cocksfoot (''
Dactylis ''Dactylis'' is a genus of Eurasian and North African plants in the bluegrass subfamily within the grass family. ''Dactylis'' is native to North Africa, they are found throughout the world, and are an invasive species. They are known in English ...
''), ryegrass (''
Lolium ''Lolium'' is a genus of tufted grasses in the bluegrass subfamily (Pooideae). It is often called ryegrass, but this term is sometimes used to refer to grasses in other genera. They are characterized by bunch-like growth habits. ''Lolium'' ...
'') or with other legumes such as red clover, white clover or lucerne. Results have shown the choice of the variety is important. A variety like Esparcette, characterised by the highest
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
content, may provide beneficial effects with a lower proportion in a mixture with other legumes. Preserving legumes, as
silage Silage is fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by fermentation (food), fermentation to the point of souring. It is fed to cattle, sheep and other ruminants. The fermentation and storage process is called ''ensilage'', ' ...
, is a good way to provide an on-farm source of home-grown energy and
protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
, offers advantages over traditional haymaking, being less weather-dependent, and allows a high quality of forage during the harvesting period. In particular, wrapped
silage Silage is fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by fermentation (food), fermentation to the point of souring. It is fed to cattle, sheep and other ruminants. The fermentation and storage process is called ''ensilage'', ' ...
bales of sainfoin have great potential in animal nutrition and can be used by farmers, as found that
condensed tannin Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, polyflavonoid tannins, catechol-type tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins or flavolans) are polymers formed by the condensation of flavans. They do not contain sugar residues. They ...
effects were not reduced by this mode of preservation.


In culture

In
George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to a ...
's '' Coming Up for Air'', travelling salesman George Bowling regularly reminisces about the smell of sainfoin in his father's seed shop in Lower Binfield.


Footnotes


References

* International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS) (2005
Genus ''Onobrychis''
Version 10.01, November 2005. Retrieved 2009-JAN-26. * Muẓaffariyān, Valī Allāh (1996) ''Farhang-i nāmhā-yi giyāhān-i Īrān: Lātīnī, Inglīsī, Fārsī'' A dictionary of Iranian plant names: Latin, English, Persian" Tehran: Farhang-i Muʻāṣir
n Persian with Latin and English names N, or n, is the fourteenth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages, and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''en'' (pronounced ), plural ''ens''. History ...
* Hayot Carbonero, C., Mueller-Harvey, I., Smith, L., Brown, T. A review of a beneficial forage, ''Plant Genetic Resources: Utilization and Characterization'' 2011, 9, 70–85. * Stringano, E., Hayot Carbonero, C., Smith, L.M.J., Brown, R.H., Mueller-Harvey, I. Proanthocyanidin diversity in the EU 'Healthy Hay' sainfoin (''Onobrychis viciifolia'') germplasm collection ''Phytochemistry'' 2012, 77, 197–208. * Niderkorn, V., Mueller-Harvey, I., Le Morvan, A., Aufrère, J. Synergistic effects of mixing cocksfoot and sainfoin on ''in vitro'' rumen fermentation. Role of condensed tannins. ''Anim. Feed Sci. Technol.'' 2012, 178, 48–56. * Theodoridou, K., Aufrère, J., Andueza, D., Le Morvan, A., Picard, F., Stringano, E., Pourrat, J., Mueller-Harvey, I., Baumont, R. Effect of plant development during first and second growth cycle on chemical composition, condensed tannins and nutritive value of three sainfoin (''Onobrychis viciifolia'') varieties and Lucerne. ''Grass For. Sci.'' 2011, 66, 402–414. * Theodoridou, K., Aufrère, J., Andueza, D., Pourrat, J., Le Morvan, A., Stringano, E., Mueller-Harvey, I., Baumont, R. Effects of condensed tannins in fresh sainfoin (''Onobrychis viciifolia'') on ''in vivo'' and ''in situ'' digestion in sheep ''Anim. Feed Sci. Technol.'' 2010, 160, 23–38. * Stringano, E., Cramer, R., Hayes, W., Smith, C., Gibson, T., Mueller-Harvey, I. Deciphering the complexity of sainfoin (''Onobrychis viciifolia'') proanthocyanidins by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with a judicious choice of isotope patterns and matrices. ''Anal. Chem.'' 2011, 83, 4147–4153. * papers by M. Lorenz and P. Uden (Uppsala University) {{Authority control Hedysareae Forages Taxa named by Philip Miller Fabaceae genera Flora of the Palearctic realm