Scientific Name | Onobrychis viciifolia | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ONVI |
Common Name | Sainfoin | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26810 |
Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (5000 to 9000 ft.); various soils in grasslands, open forests, roadsides and disturbed areas. Plant: Perennial with several erect or ascending stems 12 to 32 inches tall tall; stems with sparse stiff hairs. Leaves: Alternate, pinnately-compound blades, each with 11 to 27 leaflets that are obovate to narrowly elliptic, 0.4 to 1.2 inches long; upper surface has tiny red dots [not evident in images here], lower surface slightly hairy. Inflorescence: A dense spike-like raceme of 10 to 50 pea-like flowers arising from the leaf axils to above the leaves; each corolla about 1/2-inch long or less, pink to lavender with reddish-purple lines; bell-shaped, hairy calyx below the corolla with long, narrow, pointed teeth. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and E-Flora BC. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Introduced |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains