• a long-lived perennial
• once established is very competitive
• stems of young plants are upright but tend to bend over as the plants grow
• stem height 60 cm; stem length up to 120 cm
• leaves are divided into many opposite oval leaflets
• seed pods pale yellow to white seed pods become black and leathery as the seed matures
• has a vigorous deep root system that can expand to 120 cm in diameter

• hard seed is a problem and the seed must be scarified to obtain good germination and establishment in the seedling year
• normally two years are required for stand establishment
• hay yields about eighty percent of alfalfa
• quality is equal to alfalfa
• does not lose its nutritive value as rapidly as alfalfa does when it matures
• it has good potential as a grazing legume because it grows throughout the season
• bloat is minimal

• minimal use in Alberta due to long establishment time
• best adapted to soils with moderate to high amounts of moisture
• will tolerate some drought
• will not tolerate flooding
• more winter hardy and cold tolerant than alfalfa
• quite tolerant of alkaline conditions
• moderately tolerant of acid and saline conditions
• grows best on the Black Soils of Southern Alberta
• also adapted to the moist areas of the Dark Brown Soils
• grown in Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5

Adapted to Areas - 2, 3, 4, 5 & Irrigation. Slow to establish, seed should be scarified, hardy, non-bloating, most useful for pasture.