Fourteen Alfalfa Facts

Alfalfa is the third most-grown crop in the United States, second only to corn and soybeans. Despite this fact, many people know surprisingly little about this crop.

Due to the fact that alfalfa improves the quality of soil, alfalfa is often cultivated as a rotation crop. It also is used, as in the case of alfalfa hay, as a source of livestock food. In effort to emphasize all of the wonderful qualities of alfalfa, what follows is a list of some facts about alfalfa that many people do not know.

1. Alfalfa can live up to 20 years. Its normal life span averages three to eight years, however.
2. Used in traditional medicine, Alfalfa has been known to treat kidney and gastrointestinal disorders. It also is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals.
3. Alfalfa can be consumed by humans—usually in the form of honey and sprouting seeds.
4. For the most part, Alfalfa is grown for animal fodder—especially for cows, goats, horses and sheep. It is known for its high nutritional value.
5. Known to cause to bloating in cattle, alfalfa can also reduce fertility rates of cows and sheep. Therefore, it needs to be used with caution.
6. Approximately 450 million tons of Alfalfa are produced annually.
7. Alfalfa is propagated via seed or buds that grow from its crown. The part of the plant above the root can be removed about 10 times a year without impacting its ability to regrow.
8. Alfalfa is a herbaceous plant. It has a woody base and a stem with many branches. It can reach approximately 36 inches in height.
9. The leaves of alfalfa are composed of three leaflets which are oval or oblong. The upper portion of the leaves are smooth while the bottom side is hairy.
10. The strong root system can grow almost 50 feet deep and prevent soil erosion.
11. It produces up to 35 flowers which are arranged in clusters. Those flowers are a rich source of nectar.
12. Insects such as bees are the main pollinators of alfalfa.
13. Alfalfa is a member of the pea family. The fruit of alfalfa is a coiled pod. The pod can be smooth or hairy. In each pod up to 20 seeds can be found.
14. Alfalfa originated in Southeast Asia and began to be cultivated about 6,000 years ago in Persia.