Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) - photos and description

 

 

 

Origin: Introduced.

General: Erect perennial plants, branching from the base. Stems sparsely hairy.

Flowers: Grow in spikes on long stalks with the bottom flowers opening first. The flowers are pink in colour with red lines, we measured flowers to 12 mm long. 

Leaves: Leaves alternate, pinnate, to 19 leaflets, leaves measured to 12 cm long. The leaflets are oblong, typically 2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Bottom of leaves sparsely hairy.

Height: Height listed in Flora of Alberta to 60 cm, we measured plants to 90 cm tall.

Habitat: Ditches and field margins.

Abundance: Uncommon.

When and where photographed: The above photos were taken July 1st, highway ditch, about 400 km north east of our home in Regina, SK.