Toothed Bur-Clover, Burclover
Medicago polymorpha

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Sandy or gravelly soils near the sea in eastern and southern England.

Central and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked as a potherb. Only the young leaves are eaten raw. 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. 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. Flowers - raw or cooked. Seed - cooked. The seed can be parched, ground into a powder and mixed with water to make a mush.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Used as a green manure, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen.

Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Prefers a dry neutral soil and dislikes shade. Prefers a light well-drained soil. A very variable plant. Cultivated for its edible leaves in China. 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. 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.

Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. denticulata. M. hispida.