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Fabaceae
Medicago

*Medicago lupulina Linnaeus. Common name: Black Medick, Yellow Trefoil. Phenology: Mar-Dec. Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas, vacant lots. Distribution: Native of Europe.

Glossary (beta!)

Section: Lupularia.

Origin/Endemic status: Europe

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, C, Can, FNA11.2, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, SE3, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV, Isely (1998), Woods & Orcutt (2017); > Medicago lupulina L. var. glandulosa Neilr. — F; > Medicago lupulina L. var. lupulina — F. Basionym: Medicago lupulina L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Medicago lupulina - FNA11.2

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Great Plains: FACU
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect to reclining annual of agricultural fields, roadsides and other open, disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

Stems: Stems sprawling, 4-angled, branched and usually hairy.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, on petioles with a pair of oval to lance-shaped stipules at base, divided into 3 finely toothed, oval leaflets about 1/2 in. long; the center leaflet is stalked.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in rounded heads about 1/4 in. long, on stalks arising from leaf axils; yellow; about 1/8 in. long when fully open; with typical pea-flower shape.

Fruits: Fruit a tiny, kidney-shaped pod that turns black.

Comments:

Height: to 2 1/2 ft.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect to reclining annual of agricultural fields, roadsides and other open, disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

stems: Stems sprawling, 4-angled, branched and usually hairy.

leaves: Leaves alternate, on petioles with a pair of oval to lance-shaped stipules at base, divided into 3 finely toothed, oval leaflets about 1/2 in. long; the center leaflet is stalked.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in rounded heads about 1/4 in. long, on stalks arising from leaf axils; yellow; about 1/8 in. long when fully open; with typical pea-flower shape.

fruits: Fruit a tiny, kidney-shaped pod that turns black.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:



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