Stylosanthes is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, fabaceae and contains numerous highly important pasture and forage species. They are capable of nitrogen fixation and are capable of improving soil fertility in addition to providing high protein stock feed. The genus is also noted for its ability to extract phosphorus from soils where it is not available to other species. Seeds are hard and long lived leading to high soil seed banks and rapid recovery following fire or heavy grazing. Seed survives passage through the gut of grazing animals and is dispersed widely in this manner allowing for rapid dispersal. Many species are adapted to hot, dry climates and are drought resistant high quality feed readily eaten by all stock suited to grazing and cutting drought tolerant early season growth in some lines plant description scientific name stylosanthes hamata shape wheat shaped size 0.4-0.6Mm seed colour wheatish brown usage excellent nutrition value as a fodder for animals. Seed usage germination (not for oil extraction) age age -fresh(less than a year, good for germination) origin india shape wheat shaped