Fabaceae: Pea Family — Medicago & Melilotus
The pea family has 5-petaled flowers, consisting of a wide upper banner petal, two wing petals, plus two lower petals which are fused to form a boat-shaped keel. Many produce heads or spikes, consisting of multiple individual flowers (examples are lupines and clovers). The seed pod is generally a “legume”. This is a long, flattish pod, swollen by the seeds, and splitting lengthwise along both the top and bottom.
Spotted Bur-clover – Medicago arabica
Blooms:
Mar–June
Plant Height:
10–40 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Southern Europe
Habitat:
Grassy places
Notes:
Less common than Bur-clover (Medicago polymorpha, see below), with similar flowers, but leaves that are as broad as they are long. The easiest way to identify this species is by the dark blotch found in the middle of its leaves.
Black Medic – Medicago lupulina
Blooms:
Apr–June
Plant Height:
10–40 cm
Flower Size:
Small cluster
Origin:
Europe
Habitat:
Waste places
Notes:
This is less common than the Bur-clovers (Medicago arabica & polymorpha). It has a small clover-like head, with bright yellow flowers. On closer examination, the individual flowers are more like Bur-clover than clover. Also, the head becomes elongated during flowering, leaving a short spike of fruits. These are distinctive, not forming a bur, but kidney shaped, slightly hairy, slightly lumpy, and coiled only at the tip.
Bur-clover – Medicago polymorpha
Blooms:
Mar–July
Plant Height:
10–40 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Mediterranean
Invasive?
Yes – Limited
Habitat:
Many communities, generally places
Notes:
This invasive weed is generally prostrate and mat-forming, especially in grassy areas. It has small yellow flowers, and wedge-or heart-shaped leaves. The fruits are small spiral burs, which readily attach themselves to passing animals—especially those with short legs and long fur. Photo #1 by CJH.
Alfalfa – Medicago sativa
Blooms:
Apr–Oct
Plant Height:
20–80 cm
Flower Size:
Medium cluster
Origin:
Eurasia
Habitat:
Escape from cultivation
Notes:
Widely cultivated and prized for its delicious sprouts, this occasionally escapes. It is a smallish shrub with clusters of bluish-purple flowers.
White Sweet-clover – Melilotus albus
Blooms:
May–Sept
Plant Height:
0.5–2 m
Flower Size:
Medium cluster
Origin:
Eurasia
Habitat:
Disturbed places, often near water
Notes:
This is related to the more common, weedy, Indian Melilot (Melilotus indicus, see below). However, this is a taller plant with longer, more open inflorescences, white rather than yellow. Leaves are in threes, oblong and not as obviously toothed as those of Indian Melilot. The fruit is an egg-shaped oval pod.
Indian Melilot – Melilotus indicus
Blooms:
Apr–Oct
Plant Height:
10–60 cm
Flower Size:
Medium cluster
Origin:
Eurasia
Habitat:
Open, disturbed areas
Notes:
Like its white-flowered relative, White Sweet-clover (Melilotus albus, see above), this has slender leaves and an elongated inflorescence. The flowers are more or less tubular, yellow rather than white and in smaller, denser clusters. The leaves are conspicuously toothed. Photo #2 by CJH.
