French honeysuckle, Italian sainfoin, Sulla sweetvetch
Hedysarum coronarium
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has deep roots. It grows up to 1.5 m tall. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. There are 7-11 leaflets. The flowers are red. The fruit are jointed pods and made up of 2-4 sections. They are yellow and have a thorny surface. Possibly now Sulla coronaria (L.) Med.
Where it is found
It grows in Mediterranean climates. It is drought resistant. It needs fertile well-drained soil. It needs a rainfall above 450 mm. It can tolerate frost. It is best with alkaline soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Algeria, Australia, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Morocco, Sicily, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten boiled and seasoned with oil and lemon or scrambled with eggs. The stems are sucked raw.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Leaves, stems, flowers
How it is grown
It can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Spanish esparcet, Sudda, Sulla commune