Silverleaf desmodium contains large amounts of condensed tannins: values in the 9-17% DM range have been reported (Baloyi et al., 2001; Getachew et al., 2000; Mbugua et al., 2008). The condensed tannins were more concentrated in the leaves than in the stems (Baloyi et al., 2001). This high tannin content may reduce palatability and the nutritive value of the forage.
Minute amounts of saponins (Baloyi et al., 2001) and oestrogens have been reported but the latter do not seem to cause adverse effects in grazing animals (Bryan, 1969 cited by FAO, 2011).