Serradella – (Ornithopus sativus Brot.)

Cool Season

Serradella is an annual semi-vining legume that is nonbloat. It has a good tap root that gives the plant decent drought tolerance, better than alfalfa. Yields tend to be less than alfalfa, but serradella retains leaves longer into the fall than alfalfa. Very palatable. It prefers sandy soils to wet clays.

Seeds per pound: 18,500 Seed/sq ft/pound of seed: 0.5

Uses:

  • Nitrogen builder
  • Hay source
  • Forage blends
  • Erosion control
  • Weed suppression
  • Grazing potential
  • Pollinator attractor

Strengths:

  • Nonbloat
  • Drought resistance

Concerns:

Not tolerant of wet soils

Grazing:

Good. Good palatability. Tolerant of continuous grazing

Hay:

Good potential. Should cure well.

Mycorrhizal support? Yes