Sunn Hemp is an erect, herbaceous annual shrub. It is a summer legume crop with a well-developed taproot system.

 

It is primarily used as a cover crop or as a green manure to improve the nitrogen status of the soil. It can also be used as a source of fibre, but has limited use as a forage crop. This is mostly due to its palatability, digestibility and alkaloid toxicity.

 

It requires a minimum rainfall of 300 mm per annum.