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Integrated Crop Management
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Black medic

Black medic - Medicago lupulina L.

Family: Fabiaceae (Bean family)
Life cycle: Annual
Habitat: Poorly managed turf; waste areas.
Native status: Introduced

General description: Prostrate growth habit forming mats 2 to 3 ft in diameter. Leaves with three elliptic leaflets, margins of leaf end with very small teeth. Leaflets up to ¾ in long. Small, yellow flowers occur in ball-shaped clusters; at maturity, the pods form a cluster of black fruit.

Key ID traits: Trifoliate leaves with small teeth on margins; clusters of small yellow flowers turning to black pods.

Similar species: Yellow woodsorrel has a similar growth habit, but leaflets are heart-shaped and yellowish green.

Miscellaneous: Introduced from Eurasia for use as forage and nitrogen fixation.

Trifoliate leaves
Trifoliate leaves, leaflets have a dentated margin.  Large stipules are present at the base of the leaf petiole. Yellow flowers are arranged in a tight, round cluster.
black seed pods
The clusters of yellow flowers mature into clusters of black seed pods.

 

Prostrate growth habit
Prostrate growth habit of black medic.

 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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