Trefoil Medicago lupulina
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- me-DIH-kay-go loop-yoo-LY-nuh
- Description
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Medicago lupulina, commonly known as black medic or hop clover, is usually found in disturbed areas or lawns, as well as, fields and pastures. This summer annual broadleaf grows prostrate across the ground and has trifoliate leaves with a spur on the center leaflet. Yellow flowers are in a rounded cluster at the end of a stem emerging from the leaves and will yield black seed pods when ripe. Management includes hand pulling or weeding tools that can remove the large taproot. Black medic thrives in nutrient poor and dry soils. Fixing these issues in your lawn and garden will minimize the appearance of this weed.
Each globe-shaped flower head consists of a dense cluster of 15-50 small yellow flowers. Each leaf is divided into 3 leaflets, also referred to as trifoliate. The center leaflet is attached to the stem by a short stalk, while the two outer leaflets attach directly to the stem.
This aggressive plant forms dense clusters of seedpods after flowering.
Its root system has a coarse branched taproot that may form nodules. They add nitrogen to the surrounding soil.
Animals will graze on this plant.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This is an aggressive, weedy plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Medicago
- Species:
- lupulina
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Macronesia, Europe, Asia
- Distribution:
- Entire USA
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees, flies and small butterflies are attracted to this plant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- Leaves and seeds can be eaten when cooked.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The dense cluster of seeds can aggressively spread this plant's habitat. The pods are dark in color, hairy and curled. Each pod contains one seed. Hairy, kidney-shaped, slightly coiled and arranged in clusters, black when ripe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The globe-shaped flower head is a dense cluster of 15 to 50 small flowers. Inflorescence is a 1/4" globe shaped cluster made up of 15-50 pea-like floral structures,each 1/8" across and with an upper standard and lower keel.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The green to dark green leaves are each divided into 3 leaflets. The middle leaflet has a short stalk, while the two outer leaflets are attached to the stem. There are fine light green veins on the upper surface of the leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems can reach a length of 30”. They can be green or reddish-green with white hairs. Older plants have less hair. They may also be branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy
