Fabaceae
Medicago

Medicago falcata L.

First published in Sp. Pl.: 779 (1753)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Europe to Mongolia and Indian Subcontinent. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome.

Descriptions

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident
[AERP]

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation
Not Threatened
Morphology General Habit
Perennial, Not climbing, Herb
Vernacular
Alfalfa Falcado, Alfalfa Sueca, Barkun, Blue Alfalfa, Dasht Bedasi, Erba Medica Di Flor Giallo, Geltonziede Liucerna, Gullusern, Khyangar Tzargas, Kviteli Iondzha, Lucerna Galbena, Lucerna Szwedzka, Lucerne, Lucherne Galbene, Luzerna De Sequeiro, Luzerne
[ILDIS]

Seed Collecting Guide. RBG Kew (2013-2016)

Morphology General Habit
Perrenial herbs, (20-)40-100(-120) cm
Morphology Stem
Stems erect or ascending, terete, branched
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules lanceolate to linear­ lanceolate, base hastate, apex acuminate
Morphology Leaves
Leaflets obovate to linear, (5-)8-15(-20) x (1-)2-5(-10) mm, pubescent abaxially, glabrous or appressed puberulent adaxially, margin serrulate in apical 1/4 or margin 2- or 3-serrate, lateral veins 5-15 pairs, base cuneate, apex rounded, obtuse, or acute, mucronate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Racemes 10-20(-40) mm, with 6-25 flowers, crowded, peduncles axillary, straight, equal to or slightly longer than leaves, bracts ca 1 mm, pedicels 2-3 mm
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Corolla yellow, 6-9(-11) mm, standard long obovate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary linear, ovules 2-5
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Pod falcate or straight, (8-) 10-15 x 2.5-3.5(-4) mm, appressed puberulent, veins oblique and thin
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
2-4, brown, ovate-elliptic, ca 2x1.5 mm.
Ecology
Grassy places, slopes, ravines, dry sandy fields. Altitude:0 - 2500 m.
Conservation
data deficient.
Phenology
Flower (June-August), fruit (July-September).
Distribution
Throughout Asia and Europe, Morocco, South Africa, Canada and USA.
[SCG]

Seed Collecting Guide. RBG Kew (2013-2016)

Morphology General Habit
Perrenial herbs, (20-)40-100(-120) cm
Morphology Stem
stems erect or ascending, terete, branched
Morphology Leaves Stipules
stipules lanceolate to linear­ lanceolate, base hastate, apex acuminate
Morphology Leaves
leaflets obovate to linear, (5-)8-15(-20) x (1-)2-5(-10) mm, pubescent abaxially, glabrous or appressed puberulent adaxially, margin serrulate in apical 1/4 or margin 2- or 3-serrate, lateral veins 5-15 pairs, base cuneate, apex rounded, obtuse, or acute, mucronate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
racemes 10-20(-40) mm, with 6-25 flowers, crowded, peduncles axillary, straight, equal to or slightly longer than leaves, bracts ca 1 mm, pedicels 2-3 mm
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
corolla yellow, 6-9(-11) mm, standard long obovate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
ovary linear, ovules 2-5
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
pod falcate or straight, (8-)10-15 x 2.5-3.5(-4) mm, appressed puberulent, veins oblique and thin
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
2-4, brown, ovate-elliptic, ca 2x1.5 mm.
Ecology
grassy places, slopes, ravines, dry sandy fields. altitude 0 - 2500 m.
Distribution
Throughout Asia and Europe, Morocco, South Africa, Canada and USA.
Conservation
Near endangered
Phenology
Flower (june - august), fruit (july - september)
[SCG]

Uses

Use
Forage, Weed
[ILDIS]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • International Legume Database and Information Service

    • International Legume Database and Information Service (ILDIS) V10.39 Nov 2011
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Science Photographs

    • Copyright applied to individual images

  • Seed Collection Guides

    • Seed Collection Guides
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0