Alfalfa (la flora / la folie / florea) (Boturitis vinifera), also known as lucerne, is a tall flowering perennial plant in the legume group Family Fabaceae. It is a vital food source for herbivores and ornamental plants of all kinds, both wild and forage. Alfalfa is a valued resource for wildlife biologists who recognize it as a transitional zone between grasslands and deserts. Forages and wild cattle graze on its abundant root system which provides abundant browse for animal nutrition. Alfalfa root extracts are used in food supplements and for herbal medicine.
A variety of alfalfa, including the white, red and alfalfa-loomis varieties, is grown for its fiber, which is valuable for crop production and animal feed. Alfalfa has a long history of being beneficial to human health, particularly to individuals with impaired digestion, kidney, liver, or bowel functioning. Animal feeds containing alfalfa have a wholesome, nutritionally sound product. Alfalfa root system contains valuable vitamins, minerals and trace elements, especially calcium, chromium, iron, manganese, potassium, silicon, and zinc.
Alfalfa’s fleshy roots are used fresh, dried, and powdered in their natural state. Alfalfa powder is processed to give a nutritious and complete protein, complete with proteins, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. Alfalfa is a popular commercial crop grown throughout much of North America. Its late flowering period gives a bright yellow appearance to the leaves. The tall bushy stalks provide good forage in spring and early summer.
Pollination by alfalfa flowers attracts an extremely large array of pollinators, with over 20 different species identified for use as pollinators in the United States. These include birds, dragonflies, bees, wasps, ladybirds, lacewings, and butterflies. Various butterfly species are known to feed on alfalfa, as well. Several studies have found that alfalfa can play a role in encouraging plant biodiversity in crop fields, increasing food production, improving soil fertility and improving wildlife habitat.
In addition to providing a valuable source of protein and carbohydrates, alfalfa also provides substantial yield potential. Alfalfa can be used to grow a large number of crops, which will increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your garden. Growing alfalfa in your field will also ensure that you receive topnotch organic fertilizer each year. The best way to ensure the health of your alfalfa crops is to implement a preventative, organic management strategy that will fertilize, weed and water your alfalfa to keep it looking and functioning at its best.
Alfalfa can be grown almost anywhere there is a clean flat surface, such as a field or a vacant lot. However, to get the most out of your alfalfa growing efforts you should place the plants as close to each other as possible. If you place the plants too far apart, you may not be able to get enough nutrients for your crop, or you could disturb the local wildlife that lives in your field. It is also important to place the alfalfa in an area where it can get ample sunlight, because it is only during daylight hours that the plant receives enough light to grow. In areas where it is extremely hot, you should avoid placing alfalfa on an exposed root system.