Mesic prairie species. Species does not tolerate inundation.
Wildlife Value
Highly palatable and nutritious for grazing.
Application/Zone
Used for upland slope buffer stabilization. Deep taproot with extensive
vertical branching helps to stabilize sandy soils in prairie and dry slopes.
Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance
Propagation is best by seed. Seed can be scarified by removing the hull,
stratifying at
33-38o F for 10 days. Inoculation with Santofoin type F rhizobium produces
more vigorous plants, but is not necessary. Seed can then be planted in the
spring and will emerge in 6 to 10 days.
Seed can also be planted in the fall for overwintering instead of the
above treatments, but the treatments may increase the germination rate.
Transplanting is difficult because of the deep taproot but can be done
with potted plants.
This species is not competitive in early growth and may be difficult to
establish in clayey, reworked soil.
