Growing
- Forest layer: Herbaceous.
- Growth habit & lifespan: Perennial, deep taprooted, cut-and-regrow habit.
- Size: 0.3-0.9m.
- Site preference: Full sun, deep well-drained soil, notably drought tolerant once established thanks to its very deep taproot.
- Water needs / drought tolerance: Drought tolerant once established.
- Fruiting / flowering season: Small purple flowers.
- Propagation: Seed.
- Harvesting technique: Cut for fodder or mulch, multiple times per growing season.
Permaculture Function
- Permaculture functions: An excellent nitrogen fixer, and its deep taproot brings subsoil minerals up while helping break compacted ground — a classic chop-and-drop dynamic accumulator and fodder crop.
- Wildlife value: Good bee forage, and a valuable fodder crop where livestock are run.
- Edibility / medicinal use: Sprouted seed is edible for humans (lucerne sprouts); mainly grown as fodder.
- Companion notes: A strong nitrogen-fixing chop-and-drop understorey for fruit tree guilds.
Safety & Control
- Toxicity: Not toxic, though like many legumes it can contribute to bloat in ruminants if grazed in excess without management.
- Control method: Not applicable, retain and encourage.