Toothed bur-clover, Burr medick, Little burclover
Medicago polymorpha

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It lies along the ground. The stem are 50 cm long. Sometimes they twine and climb over other plants. The leaves are made up of 3 small leaflets on a short stalk. The leafy stipules near their base are deeply lobed and taper to a point. The flowers are yellow and pea-like. They are 6 mm long. Up to 6 flowers occur at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves near the ends. The fruit is a spiny spiral pod. It is 8 mm across. There are 3 varieties depending on the shape of these spines.

There are about 55 Medicago species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate regions. It grows in dry coastal pastures. It can grow in acid, neutral or alkaline soils. It grows below 2,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Island, Caribbean, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Luxembourg, Marianas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Reunion, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant can contain chemicals which make the skin sensitive to light and also contain oestrogens. The young leaves are used as a leafy vegetable. They can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb, stir-fried or used in soups. The leaves are also dried and stored. The seeds are used to make a porridge.

They are used by Chinese as a winter vegetable. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, seeds, fruit, pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alfafinha, Alfalfilla, Alfilla, Bindo arxa, Californian bur clover, Chandausi, Chinese clover, Churgali, Gaejari, Hualputa,Hualputra, Maina, Miana, Midiki, Millma garotilla, Nettho sag, Nusaka, Pega mono, Qunjirka, Rodajilla, Shanghai trefoil, Shpaishtay, Shpestaray, Sinji, Speshtai, Speshtaray, Speshtlarai, Toothed clover, Toothed medick, Trebol de caracol, Trebol de carretilla, Trevinho

Synonyms

Medicago apiculata Willd.; Medicago denticulata Willd.; Medicago hispida Gaertn.; Medicago lappacea Desr.; Medicago loretii Albert; Medicago nigra (L.) Krocker; Medicago nigra (L.) Krocker subsp. microcarpa (Urban) O. Bolos & Vigo; Medicago nigra (L.) Krocker var. nigra; Medicago pentacycla DC.; Medicago polycarpa Godron & Gren.; Medicago polycarpa Godron & Gren. subsp. polymorpha (L.) Cadev. & Sall.; Medicago polycarpa Godron & Gren. subsp. reticulata (Benth.) Coste; Medicago polymorpha L. subsp. hispida (Gaertner) Ponert; Medicago polymorpha L. subsp. lappacea (Desr.) Bonafe; Medicago polymorpha L. subsp. polycarpa Romero Zarco; Medicago reticulata Benth.; Medicago terebellum Willd.;