Black Medic – FranLaff.com

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Common Name

Black Medic

Scientific Name

Medicago lupulina

More Clues to ID

A low-growing “trefoil” weed of lawns and disturbed, nitrogen-poor soil, distinguished by its tiny hop-like yellow flower clusters, pointed tips on each leaflet, and the terminal leaflet on a longer stalk or petiole

This extremely widespread close relative of alfalfa can be used to fix nitrogen in the soil and as fodder for sheep and more limitedly, for cattle. It also has marginal use as an edible and medicinal plant for humans.

Medicago_lupulina—La_flore_et_la_pomone_françaises

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Image Credits

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
other pics from Pixabay or Fran's personal collection

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