Honey bees
Nectar value
Medium
Pollen value
Medium
Pollinator plant
Alfalfa, Yellow alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Herbaceous
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 1.00 m high × 0.50 m wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 4-8
- Moisture
- Moist, Well-drained
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- Leaves, Oil, Tea, Seed
- Functions
- Carbon farming, Hedge, Nitrogen fixer, Pollinator plant, Biomass, Companion planting, Dye, Oil, Paper
- Edibility
- 4 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 4 out of 5
The leaves and young shoots of the alfalfa plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. The leaves are very rich in vitamin K and can be dried for later consumption. The young shoots are a good source of vitamins A, B, and C, and also contain proteins. Alfalfa is very nutritious, but consume it in moderation, as large quantities can be toxic. The seeds are usually only used in their sprouted form, for example in salads, on bread, or in soups. To sprout the seeds, they must be soaked in warm water for 12 hours, then kept moist and placed in a warm spot. The seeds will sprout within 4 to 6 days. They can also be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat flour, for example. Tea can be made from the leaves.