Other plants in grassland - The Accidental Smallholder

All these plants are deep rooting herbs that bring nutrients from deep in the soil. They are often high in minerals, so good for stock.

Ribgrass / English Plantain / Ribwort (Plantago lanceolata)

A perennial herb whose palatable leaves and seeds provide valuable nutritious food for grazing stock and wildlife. Its contribution to the productivity of a sward is perhaps one reason, along with its leaf form, farmers regard it as an honorary grass and call it ‘Ribgrass'. In the past it was valued and even sown in pasture seed mixtures. Ribgrass is wind-pollinated so attracts few insects.

Ribgrass - Plantago lanceolata

Chicory

A perennial herbwith bright blue flowers, chicory has recently become considered an excellent forage for lambs.

Chicory

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

A perennial herb flowering from June to September, with white or pale lilac flowers minute daisies, in flattened, terminal, loose heads, or cymes. Despite its bitter taste, sheep and other livestock will graze yarrow, although some livestock will only eat the flowers.

Yarrow

Alfalfa / Lucerne (Medicago sativa)

A perennial legume with a deep root system. Commonly sown as a forage crop for cattle in some parts of the world including North and South America, but less so in the UK and Europe. A versatile plant that is used for hay, silage, or for grazing.

Alfalfa

Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)

A perennial herb that tolerates drought, heat and cold. Flowers from June to September and is a bee attractant.

Burnet