| DESCRIPTION: Legume with pinnate or imparipinnate oval leaves borne on stems, up to 0.8-2.0 m long. Branch stems arise from middle upwards of main stems. Tap-rooted and rhizomatous with overwintered rhizomes emerging in spring to initiate new shoots which eventually take root and become independent plants. Mellifluous inflorescences comprised of bright lilac clusters with 25-70 florets. Pods 2-4 cm long containing 5-8 kidney-shaped seeds, yellowish green, later light brown. USE: Fodder (cut and carry), best suited to infrequent defoliation regime. Generally not tolerant of grazing. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. Growth in spring to autumn, with two-thirds of production by early summer. COMMON NAMES: Goat‚s rue, Galega, Fodder galega, Eastern galega. FURTHER INF: Indigenous to Caucasus sub-alpine region. Introduced to Baltic countries, Scandinavia and north-west Russia. Cultivation should be possible between 40-600N. Adapted to a range of soil types though not to acidic soils. Grows best on deep, well-drained, light and friable soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Responds to improved soil fertility from P and K application. Not persistent on peaty and wet mineral soils. |