Cockshead Sainfoin

Onobrychis caput-galli

Native to:
Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sicilia, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Onobrychis
Species:
Onobrychis caput-galli
USDA Symbol:
ONCA3

Growth Characteristics

Height:
50 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
pink, white

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
dry, rocky, well-drained soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to Mediterranean regions with calcareous soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Hard seed coat benefits from scarification. Germinates readily in warm conditions after treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI