Onobrychis viciifolia, also known as O. sativa or common sainfoin has been an important forage legume in temperate regions until the 1950s. During the Green Revolution it was replaced by high yielding alfalfa and clover species. Due to its anthelmintic properties, common sainfoin is a natural alternative to drugs to control nematode parasitism in the guts of small ruminants. This is the main reason why O. viciifolia returned to the scientific agenda in recent years.
Onobrychis, the sainfoins, are a genus of Eurasian perennial herbaceous plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). About 206 species are presently accepted. The Flora Europaea lists 23 species of Onobrychis; the main centre of diversity extends from Central Asia to Iran, with 56 species – 27 of which are endemic – in the latter country alone. O. viciifolia is naturalized throughout many countries in Europe and North America grasslands on calcareous soils.
The common blue butterfly or European common blue is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae and subfamily Polyommatinae. The butterfly is found throughout the Palearctic and has been introduced to North America. Butterflies in the Polyommatinae are collectively called blues, from the coloring of the wings. Common blue males usually have wings that are blue above with a black-brown border and a white fringe. The females are usually brown above with a blue dusting and orange spots.
The chalkhill blue is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is a small butterfly that can be found throughout the Palearctic realm, where it occurs primarily in grasslands rich in chalk. Males have a pale blue colour, while females are brown. Both have chequered fringes around their wings.
Bratton Downs is a 395.8 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire, England, near the villages of Bratton and Edington, and about 3 miles (5 km) east of the town of Westbury. It was notified in 1971. The designated area consists mainly of chalk grassland, as well as some ancient woodland, and supports a diverse range of native flora and fauna. It overlays notable geological features—principally landforms created by glaciation in the Pleistocene.
Plebejus argyrognomon, common name Reverdin's blue is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. The species is named after Jacques-Louis Reverdin.
Polyommatus damon, the Damon blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.
Polyommatus dolus, the furry blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Spain, in France and Italy.
Polyommatus thersites, the Chapman's blue, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Europe, Morocco, Lebanon, Asia Minor, Iran and across the Palearctic to Siberia and Tian Shan.
Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) fulgens is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in the north and north-east of Spain.
Polyommatus actinides is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Otto Staudinger in 1886. It is found in central Asia.
Polyommatus admetus, the anomalous blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper in 1783. It is found in south-eastern Europe and Turkey.
Polyommatus aroaniensis, the Grecian anomalous blue, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by John W. Brown in 1976. It is found on the Balkan Peninsula.
Polyommatus atlantica, the Atlas blue, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Henry John Elwes in 1905. It is found in North Africa.
Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) violetae, the Andalusian anomalous blue, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in the south and south-east of Spain. Adults are on wing from July to August.
Polyommatus golgus, the Sierra Nevada blue, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to Spain with habitat in the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, and is an endangered species.
Polyommatus iphigenia is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1847. It is found in the Balkans and Asia Minor.
Polyommatus nephohiptamenos, or Higgins's anomalous blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae described by J. Brown and John G. Coutsis in 1978. It has an IUCN Red List status of near threatened.
Erivan Anomalous BluePolyommatus eriwanensis is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae and the genus Polyommatus. It was described by Walter Forster in 1960.
