Small Medick

Scientific Name: Medicago minima L. 

Family: Fabaceae

MORPHOLOGY

Habit and Size: Annual herbaceous plant, reaching heights of 10-13 cm.

Stems: Branched, pubescent stems.

Leaves: Compound trifoliate leaves, with variable hairiness, triangular stipules entire or with small teeth at the base; leaflets range from elliptic to rhombic (4 x 7 mm), with lateral veins reaching the margin, which is then serrated.

Flowers: Flowers in racemes of 4-5 flowers, with a common axis about as long as the leaf. Hermaphroditic flower, zygomorphic dialypetalous (4 mm); gamosepalous calyx; yellow papilionaceous corolla. Blooms from April to July.

Fruits and Seeds: The fruit is a spiral-wrapped legume, spiny along the edge.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

Found throughout Italy, in xerophilous and steppic meadows and pastures, as well as on cliffs and rocky outcrops, from sea level to 1,000 m.

Photo: Licensed for free use by Saxifraga and Ed Stikvoort, Rutger Barendse.