Relatives
Onobrychis vaginalis C.A.M. - Sheathed Sainfoin.
Taxonomic position.
Family Fabaceae Lindl., genus Onobrychis Mill.Morphology and biology.
Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems 40-80 cm tall, rough, more or less densely squarrosely pilose. Stipules up to 2 cm long, fused at the base. Leaflets of lower leaves obtuse, those of middle and upper ones ovate-lanceolate, 15-25 mm long, 7-15 mm wide, narrowed toward the apex, acute or acutish. Peduncles long. Racemes lax, many-flowered. Calyx 8-10 mm long. Corolla 15-20 mm long, pale pink, with thin weakly distinct veins. Pod 15 mm long, moderately pubescent, with thin short spines at disc and margins. Flowers in May, fruits in July. Self-incompatible, cross-pollinated plant.Distribution.
Caucasus (eastern Transcaucasia). Endemic.Ecology.
On dry slopes, clay and debris outcrops from lower to middle mountain zone.Economic value.
Valuable forage plant.References:
Galushko AI. 1980. Flora of the North Caucasus: Handbook. V.2. 352 p. (In Russian).Grossheim AA. 1952. Flora of Caucasus. 2nd ed. V.5. P.358-376. (In Russian).
Grossheim AA. 1948. Sainfoin - Onobrychis Adans. In: Shishkin BK., Bobrov EG., eds. Flora URSS. V.13. P.319-367. (In Russian).