Saatesparsette

Prefers a well-drained neutral to alkaline sandy loam in full sun. Succeeds in poor soils and in shallow soils over chalk. Dislikes shade. Does not succeed in wet soils. A good border plant for the vegetable garden, the deep tap root helps to break up the sub-soil. Plants are resistant to alfalfa stem nematodes and are immune to bacterial wilt disease and attacks by the alfalfa stem weevil. A good bee plant. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: One report says that the plant is edible, but does not say what part of the plant is used.

Soil conditioner Soil stabilization A good soil conditioner for poor light soils. The plants can be grown on the land for a number of years, the deep tap roots breaking up the sub-soil and bringing up minerals from below. Plants can be cut during the growing season but care must be taken not to cut too low because the tap root tends to rise above ground level and the plant can be killed if this is cut off. The plant has an extensive root system and is useful for stabilizing soils. Nitrogen Fixer.

Heimisch: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania Eingeführt: Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Algeria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, British Columbia, California, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, Colorado, Denmark, East European Russia, Eritrea, Great Britain, Idaho, Illinois, Inner Mongolia, Italy, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krym, Montana, Morocco, Nebraska, Netherlands, Nevada, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Oregon, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Qinghai, Québec, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tasmania, Türkiye, Ukraine, Utah, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon