Common sainfoin

Common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia)

Sainfoin is a plant species comprises 54 different species in the subfamily of the papilionaceous plants. It is mainly used as a dryThe dry matter refers to that portion of the cheese that remains after removal of the water contained. The more water is removed from the cheese, the lower its dry matter and vice versa. » More info food plant and as a soil improver.

The fodder saver is a perennial and persistent plant. It roots up to 4 m deep and can therefore survive even in very dry locations.

The leaves are pinnate with numerous leaflets. The pink flowers with purple veins are arranged in long stemmed grapes.

The butterfly flower, composed of flag, wing and boat, is optimally adapted to its visitors. The pollen is applied to the belly of the insect, which is attracted by the abundant nectar. The fodder saver is a good bee pastureHere in Austria, we call our fresh, natural milk for our cheese production hay milk (hay mild standard) - in Germany it is different. » More info.

Occurrence of common sainfoin

The sainfoin can cope with dry soils just as well as with raw soils (e.g. on road embankments). Its symbiosis with nitrogen-binding bacteriaBacterium Linens (red culture bacteria) are brushed with salt water on the cheese. in the root nodules helps it to colonise the soil. It is a very protein-rich dry food plant and has been cultivated as such since the 16th century. It originates from south-eastern Europe, but has now gone wild everywhere.

Effect of the sainfoin

The plants contain very many tannins (tannins), which have an anthelmintic and antiseptic effect. For this reason, the food saving chain is also called health hay.