In an effort to investigate the germination and growth characteristics of tannin containing forage crops (such as chicory, birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus pedunculatus, sulla, lespedeza, crownvetch, sainfoin), germinativity, seedling vigor, and productivity were studied. Although the cumulative germination percentage (CGP) of chicory and birdsfoot trefoil was low, the germination rate(GR) and days to reach 50% of final germination(Gt50) were excellent. Crownvetch, lespedeza and sainfoin showed poor germination. Chicory seeds were light but the rate of emergence and establishment were high. Seeds of Lotus pedunculatus and birdsfoot trefoil were also small, but their rates of emergence and establishment were quite good. On the other hand, seeds of sainfoin and crownvetch were heavy but their emergence and establishment rate were very low. Lespedeza was the best in getting over the hot summer, and crownvetch also survived well during summer. Chicory was good in productivity and early growing but its persistence was not good. In case of birdsfoot trefoil and Lotus pedunculatus their early growing were slow but their productivity and persistence were fairly well. Lespedeza, crownvetch, and sainfoin showed poor growth in Korea. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that chicory would be better to use as short term high productive forage crop, and Lotus pedunculatus and birdsfoot trefoil could be used as continuous functional forage crops in Korea. (Key words : Tannin. Germination. Chicory. Birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus pedunculatus)