Status
Conservation status
Nationally scarce
Native status
Neophyte
Species Biology
Habitat
Occassional on roadsides
Life cycle
Perennial
Ex-situ conservation
Not known
Use
Forage crop
Vegetative nature
Herbaceous
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
This is a perennial herb, which is native to Eurasia, but it is widely cultivated worldwide as an animal forage and fodder. It is also used to attract honeybees. It is grown for grazing, hay, and silage, as it is relatively high in protein and most minerals. Its tannin content has also been shown to reduce the nematode load in the guts of lambs. The plant is favoured by honeybees and other pollinators because it produces large amounts of nectar and pollen. In Ireland it is considered a rare relic of cultivation.