Alfalfa
Alfalfa is the common name for a fodder plant, Medicago sativa, also known also as lucerne, from the legume family.  Historical accounts indicate it was first cultivated in Persia.  From there, it was taken to Greece in the 5th century B.C., and to Spain in the 8th century A.D.  The Spanish introduced alfalfa to North and South America.  It was cultivated throughout the irrigated sections of the western United States beginning in 1854, when it was brought to San Francisco from Chile.  With the development of improved varieties and better fertilization and soil-management practices, alfalfa crops have spread throughout the United States.  Alfalfa is highly nutritious -- rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins.  The sprouted seeds are a common salad ingredient.

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