Hedysarum

Hedysarum (Sweetvetch) is a genus of the botanical family Fabaceae, consisting of about 309 species of annual or perennial herbs in Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America.

Hedysarum leaves are imparipinnate, with leaflets entire. Stipels are absent, with stipules free or connate. Inflorescences are peduncled racemes or heads. Bracts are small, with bracteoles below the calyx, and calyx teeth subequal. Corolla are pink, purplish, yellow, or whitish. Vexillum are longer than the wings, with an obtuse keel longer or rarely shorter than the wings. Stamens are diadelphous, 9+1, and anthers uniform. Ovary is 2-8-ovuled. Fruit is a lomentum, with segments glabrous, pubescent, bristly, or spiny.

Some species, such as Hedysarum alpinum, were eaten by the Inuit to help ward off the effects of scurvy due to it being rich in vitamin C.


Selected species
Hedysarum coronarium (French honeysuckle, cock's head) is a perennial herb native to Northern Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) 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 comprised of 2–4 spinulose articles. Pods have a yellow thorny surface that turns brown at maturity.

Hedysarum abyssinicum

Hedysarum argyreum

Hedysarum argyrophyllum

Hedysarum alabukense

Hedysarum alaicum

Hedysarum acuminatum

Hedysarum acutifolium

Hedysarum acayucense

Hedysarum armenium

Hedysarum armenum

Hedysarum articulatum

Hedysarum ascendens

Hedysarum asperum

Hedysarum aequidentatum

Hedysarum ahilum

Hedysarum aikini

Hedysarum aikinianum

Hedysarum adhaerens

Hedysarum adscendens

Hedysarum alamani

Hedysarum aculeolatum

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