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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Medicago polymorpha is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. denticulata. M. hispida.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Shoots
Edible Uses:

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked as a potherb[2, 179, 183]. Only the young leaves are eaten raw[177]. Plants can be harvested on a cut and come again basis, the first harvest can be made about one month after sowing, plants can then be harvested another 3 - 4 times at intervals of a few weeks[206]. The young leaves contain about 6% protein, 0.14% fat, 9.5% carbohydrate, 1.4% ash. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and E[179]. Flowers - raw or cooked[105, 183]. Seed - cooked[257]. The seed can be parched, ground into a powder and mixed with water to make a mush[257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Green manure

Used as a green manure, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen[46, 206].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a dry neutral soil and dislikes shade. Prefers a light well-drained soil[206]. A very variable plant[17]. Cultivated for its edible leaves in China[206]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ[206]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Medicago arborea	Moon Trefoil	Shrub	2.0	7-10		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Medicago lupulina	Black Medick	Annual/Perennial	0.5	4-8	M	LMH	N	M	2	1	4
Medicago sativa	Alfalfa, Yellow alfalfa	Perennial	1.0	4-11	M	LMH	N	DM	4	3	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Medicago polymorpha - L.