Medicago spp.
medicks
Mediterranean Basin, Europe, western and central Asia, and Africa
Overview
Medicago spp. is a genus of about 85 legumes in the pea family (Fabaceae), known collectively as medicks and including the forage crop alfalfa (M. sativa). Members are annual or perennial herbs, with a few low subshrubs, generally 6-36 inches (15-90 cm) tall and spreading or upright in habit. The leaves are trifoliate with finely toothed leaflets, resembling clover, and the small pea-type flowers are carried in short dense racemes, yellow in most species and violet to blue-purple in M. sativa. A defining feature of the genus is the seed pod, which coils into a spiral or kidney shape and often bears spines or hooks. Like other legumes, Medicago spp. forms root nodules with rhizobia bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen, and several species are grown for forage, green manure, and soil improvement. The genus is native to the Old World and is now naturalized widely. Most species carry deep taproots that give drought tolerance once established. Perennial species such as M. sativa regrow for several years, while annual medics complete their cycle in a single season.
Native Range
Medicago spp. is native to the Mediterranean Basin, Europe, western and central Asia, and parts of Africa. Many species have naturalized across North America, South America, and Australia through their use as forage and cover crops.Suggested Uses
Grown as forage and hay, as nitrogen-fixing cover crops and green manure, and in wildflower and pollinator plantings. Low spreading species act as living mulch in orchards and vineyards. Alfalfa is grown on a field scale for livestock feed and sprouting seed.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Most Medicago spp. bloom from late spring through summer, with perennial species often producing repeated flushes after cutting or grazing. The flowers are rich in nectar and are visited heavily by honeybees and other bees. Annual medics flower quickly and set their coiled pods within weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to violet-purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight