Medicago sativa

About Medicago sativa

Medicago sativa, Alfalfa, or lucerne, is a medium-sized nitrogen-fixing perennial in the legume family cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries. Ancient Greeks and Romans produced alfalfa as livestock fodder. It is excellent green manure and a cover crop. The seed is commonly sprouted and added to salads, used in sandwiches or cooked in soups. Alfalfa sprouts are a common ingredient in dishes made in South Indian cuisine. They are high in vitamin K and are a moderate vitamin C source, as well as B vitamins, phosphorus, and zinc. Sprouted seed is ready in about 4-6 days. The dry seeds are ground into a powder and used as a mush or mixed with cereal flour for making a nutritionally improved bread. Leaves and young shoots are eaten raw, cooked, or dried for later use. They are a good source of protein and rich in vitamins A, B, and C. The leaves are a rich source of vitamin K. In moderation, this is a very nutritious food. Alfalfa has a deep taproot (to 6m/20ft) and, once established, tolerates drought, nutritionally poor soils and arid conditions. The root brings nutrients from deep in the ground, making them available for other plants with shallow root systems. The roots fix large quantities of atmospheric nitrogen, making alfalfa one of the very best green manures. It does not tolerate water logging or very acidic soils. Alfalfa is an excellent companion plant for fruit trees and grapevines. Heat zones 8 through 5. Harvesting: Multiple times a year, with the first harvest occurring in late spring to early summer and subsequent harvests throughout the summer.

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