Medicago varia
Luzerne bigarrée
Bastard Luzerne
Additional information
| Plant family | |
|---|---|
| Area | Provence Verte |
| Flower colour | yellow |
| Flower size | 8-11 mm |
| Flowering months | June, July, August, September |
| Leaf type | Trifoliate |
| Height | 30-80 cm |
Description
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) and Yellow Medick (Medicago sativa subsp. falcata) cross-breed easily, resulting in the multicoloured hybrid called Medica x varia.
The plants in the Fabaceae family have a relationship with bacteria in the soil. The bacteria take the nitrogen that exists in the air pockets in the soil and feed it through the roots to the plant; in return the plant gives carbohydrates to the bacteria. The green crop is then turned under, thus fertilising the soil with nitrogen.
Flowers
Flowers in 5-40 flowered racemes, pale yellow and mauve.
Leaves
Trifoliate with three leaflets. Three leaflets, narrow to oblong. The tip has a toothed margin with a central sharp point.
Fruits Seeds
Pod: in a cluster, each pod is curved into a semi-circle ending in a point, 8-11 mm long.
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