Sulla coronaria | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Sulla |
Species: | S. coronaria
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Binomial name | |
Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik.
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Synonyms[1][2] | |
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Sulla coronaria (French honeysuckle, cock's head, Italian sainfoin, sulla, or soola)[3] is a perennial herb native to Malta, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, southern Italy and Spain, cultivated for animal fodder and hay, and for honey production.
The plant is deep-rooted and drought-resistant, growing to 1–1.5 m tall with leaves imparipinnate with 7–11 leaflets. Flowers are red, with the standard 12–15 mm long; fruits are jointed and made of 2–4 spinulose articles. Pods have a yellow thorny surface that turns brown at maturity.