Forage Legumes
Chart Key:
- Cold Hardness
- H = Hardy
- NH = Not Hardy
- Seeding rates will vary dependent upon method of seeding and intended use.
Forage Legumes Reference Guide
Compare bloat risk, cold hardiness, seeding rates, precipitation needs, and drought and salinity tolerance for every forage legume we offer. Search by name or variety, and scroll sideways to see all the details.
| Scientific name | Common name | Varieties | Bloat risk | Mature height | Cold hardiness | Seeding rate (lbs/acre) | Seeds per lb | When to plant | Precip. needed | Salinity tolerance | Drought tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicago sativa | Alfalfa | Many varieties | Bloat | 13–24+" | Hardy | 8–15 | 210,000 | Spr/Fall | 12" | Medium | High |
| Trifolium hybridum | Alsike clover | — | Bloat | 13–24" | Hardy | 6–8 | 680,000 | Spring | 32" | None | Low |
| Lathyrus hirsutus | Austrian pea | — | Bloat | 13–36" | Hardy | 45–60 | 15,000 | Spr/Fall | 35" | None | Low |
| Trifolium alexandrinum | Berseem clover | — | Non-Bloat | 12–18" | Not hardy | 5–15 | 200,000 | Spr/Fall | 35" | None | Low |
| Lotus corniculatus | Birdsfoot trefoil | Empire, Viking | Non-Bloat | 13–24" | Hardy | 4–6 | 370,000 | Spring | 15" | Medium | None |
| Astragalus cicer | Cicer milkvetch | Monarch, Lutana, Oxley | Non-Bloat | 13–24" | Hardy | 20–25 | 145,000 | Spr/Fall | 18" | Medium | Low |
| Medicago sativa ssp. Falcata | Falcata alfalfa | — | Bloat | 13–24+" | Hardy | 8–15 | 211,000 | Spr/Fall | 10" | Medium | High |
| Vicia villosa | Hairy vetch | — | Non-Bloat | 1–24" | Hardy | 25–35 | 20,000 | Spr/Fall | 18" | None | Medium |
| Trifolium repens latum | Ladino clover | — | Bloat | 13–24" | Hardy | 2–6 | 800,000 | Spr/Fall | 24" | None | Low |
| Trifolium pratense | Red clover | Kenland, Mammoth | Bloat | 25+" | Hardy | 8–10 | 275,000 | Spr/Fall | 32" | None | Low |
| Trifolium hirtum | Rose clover | Hykon | Bloat | 1–24" | Not hardy | 20 | 140,000 | Fall | 12" | Low | Medium |
| Onobrychis viciifolia | Sainfoin | Eski, Remont, Shoshone | Non-Bloat | 25+" | Hardy | 35–45 | 30,000 | Spring | 12" | Medium | Medium |
| Sanguisorba minor | Small Burnet | Delar | Non-Bloat | 8–24" | Hardy | 20–24 | 55,000 | Spr/Fall | 12" | Medium | Low |
| Trifolium fragiferum | Strawberry clover | O'Connors, Salina | Bloat | 1–12" | Not hardy | 5–15 | 300,000 | Spr/Fall | 15" | Medium | Low |
| Trifolium subterraneum | Subterranean clover | — | Bloat | 1–6" | Hardy | 20–24 | 65,000 | Spr/Fall | 16" | Low | Medium |
| Trifolium repens | White dutch clover | — | Bloat | 1–12" | Hardy | 2–6 | 850,000 | Spr/Fall | 24" | Low | Medium |
| Melilotus alba | White sweetclover | — | Bloat | 13–24+" | Hardy | 10–15 | 260,000 | Spr/Fall | 10" | Medium | High |
| Vicia villosa ssp.varia | Woolly pod vetch | Lana | Non-Bloat | 1–24" | Not hardy | 35–40 | 100,000 | Spr/Fall | 18" | None | Medium |
| Melilotus officinalis | Yellow sweetclover | Madrid | Bloat | 13–24+" | Hardy | 10–15 | 260,000 | Spr/Fall | 10" | None | High |
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