It is a member of the Fabaceae (pea) family[3] and is indigenous to the dry volcanic slopes of the Canary Islands,[4] but it is now grown in Australia, New Zealand and many other parts of the world as a fodder crop.

Any physical or chemical barrier in the soil that restricts root growth will reduce the productivity and survival of tagasaste.

Cultivars from arid sandy areas are very susceptible to root rot fungus on poorly drained soils, specifically Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia.

Tagasaste flowers during the early rainy season, typically June to October in Australia, New Zealand and East Africa.

This hydraulic lift is also seen in the native banksia shrubs that grow naturally on these soils and have a similar root design.

Fertiliser will also reduce the level of phenolic compounds (similar to tannins) that increase when the plants are moisture stressed.

Tagasaste typically has the same nutritional value as the best type of alfalfa when planted on good soil balanced in nutrients.

Daily weight gains of 1 to 1.5 kg per steer per day are achieved during the growing season, with 6–10 rotations per year, typically one every 6–8 weeks.

On the poor white sands in Western Australia tagasaste has increased the animal carrying capacity from 1 to 2 dry sheep equivalents,[clarification needed] with annual pastures to 8-10 dry sheep equivalents (~ 1 cow) per hectare with mature tagasaste.

The yield of edible dry matter (leaves and fine stems) in the West Midlands is mostly in the range of 3–5 tonnes per hectare.

In 1984 the Martindale Research Project was started by the University of Western Australia with a large grant from Sir James McCusker.

This project encouraged the participation of local farmers and the Western Australia Department of Agriculture in research and development.

The Martindale Research Project resolved many issues relating to agronomy, animal production and economics that resulted in a reliable package that farmers could adopt with confidence.

The Western Australia Department of Agriculture also conducted trials on their Badgingarra Research Station and at Bob Wilson's farm at Lancelin.

This evolved into the Evergreen Group,[7] which expanded its interests to include a range of other shrubs, grasses and perennial legumes.

In Western Australia it is mostly grown on deep, infertile sands in regions nearer the coast with 350 to 600 mm rainfall.

Commercial breeding of tree lucerne cultivars have led to improved varieties with increased hardiness, disease resistance and a wider range of growing conditions and applications.

The use of tree lucerne for silvopasture agroforestry as a companion crop is one example of dual use of the same land for increased production.

Sheep are then used to suppress weeds and keep the tree lucerne in check, preventing it from shadowing out the main forestry crop.

The biological fertilisation is enhanced with green manure and trampling, improving the soil over time, and leading to production increases.