Medicago arabica

Arab alfalfa (Medicago arabica)

The Arab alfalfa (Medicago arabica), also known as the spotted alfalfa is a legume ( Fabaceae ) from the kind of alfalfa (Medicago ). Originally native to the Mediterranean region, the species is now distributed worldwide. In Germany for example, they will be deemed adopted naturalized, albeit rare neophyte and already came mid to late 19th century ( specific year specification: 1862) here.

Features

The shoots of the year, decumbent to erect herbaceous plant are 15 to 50 inches long. The stem has a protruding hairs. The leaves sit down " clover -like" from each of three broad - ovate to heart-shaped leaves together. These are hairy from below, spotted on the upper side glabrous and characteristically reddish brown in the middle or purple - black.

The appearing of April to June, racemose inflorescence is one to fünfblütig. The flowers are yellow, five to seven millimeters long and have a small boat, which is longer than the wings. There is insect pollination. The spherical, initially green, later yellow and finally brown fruit shell has three to six rolled coils and has internal cross walls. It reaches a diameter of between five and ten millimeters. Outwardly she is with - often curved - spines, but not hairy. The spread of the seeds via the wind or Klettanhaftung the hakigen legumes in animals ( Epichorie ).

( Was temporarily considered within which the Arab medics as a variety ) Possible confusion species include dwarf alfalfa (Medicago minima), Medicago polymorpha and more, inconstant any introduction of diverse Medicago clans.

Chromosome number: n = 8, 2n = 16

Habitat requirements

The Arab medics preferably in Central Europe excessively dry, nutrient-rich gravel or clay soils in winter mild- summer warm - humid climate locations. Locations are especially gappy, therophytenreiche Ruderalfluren of ways to dams, debris and hubs, on railway tracks that in oat grass meadows and sown ornamental meadows.