Authors: C. Stace, R. van der Meijden (ed.) & I. de Kort (ed.)
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Scientific name:

Medicago sativa

Use the links below to jump to previous and next taxa in a text browser:
Medicago lupulina - Medick, Black
Medicago sativa subsp. falcata - Medick, Sickle

Sickle Medick or (Sand) Lucerne;

Scientific name: Medicago sativa L.

Diagnostic features
Erect to decumbent perennial to 90cm.
Leaves pubescent.
Stipules entire to shallowly serrate.
Flowers numerous in ± compact racemes, 5-12mm.
Fruits slightly curved (8-11mm long) to spiralled (5-9mm across) in 2-3(4) turns, spineless, pubescent or glabrous, 2-20-seeded.

This species is keyed out on Page 2974 in the Text Key.

Key to the subspecies:
1a. Fruits spiralled in 2-3(4) complete turns; coils ± closed in centre; flowers mauve to violet............................................... Medicago sativa sativa.
1b. Fruits curved or spiralled in up to 1.5 complete turns; coils ± open in centre; flowers yellow or white to purple or green or blackish............................................... 2.
2a. Fruits nearly straight to curved in arc up to 1/2 circle; flowers yellow ............................................... Medicago sativa falcata.
2b. Fruits curved or spiralled in 0.5-1.5 complete turns; flowers yellow or other colours ............................................... Medicago sativa varia.

Medicago sativa
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Medicago sativa
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