Scientific Name:
Medicago lupulina
Pronunciation:
med-ih-KAY-go loop-you-LYE-nuh
Common Name:
black medic
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Weed (horticultural)
Key ID Features:
Leaves compound, each with three oval leaflets, most 4-7mm long x 3-5mm wide (center leaflet usually larger and has a longer petiole), margin toothed towards the apex; flowers small, yellow, grouped in compact racemes, 2-4(-8)mm wide.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
< 0.1m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
n/a
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Compound Leaf:
Trifoliate (ternate)
Shapes:
Elliptic, Obovate
Apices:
Retuse, Rounded
Bases:
Obtuse
Margins:
Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Head-like, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Legume
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Black
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Root nodules (N-fixing), Stipule (leafy), Storage tap root
Maintenance:
High
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
