Medicago arabica, clover whose leaves have a dark spot in the center
Medicago arabica also known as Spotted Clover, Lucerne of Arabia or Cart. It belongs to the Leguminosae family and is distributed in central and southern Europe.
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The generic name Medicago comes from the Latin “medica” which in turn comes from the Greek and means “herb”.
The epithet arabica refers to its location on the Arabian Peninsula.
Characteristics of Medicago arabica
Annual plant that can reach a height of 20 to 50 cm. Branched stems that cover the ground forming a dense layer.
The leaves are petiolate, compound, with 3 domed leaflets with a toothed margin and an intense green color.
In the center of each leaflet there is a dark spot that can be more or less intense. While the stipules are hairy and toothed.
The flowers are in clusters of 3 to 5 flowers, yellow in color, papillonaceous in shape. The calyx is tubular with 5 reddish green teeth. It blooms in the spring.
The fruit is a spiral, globose, thorny legume, and in whose center it has 2 kidney-shaped seeds.
Medicago arabica care
It is a plant that in nature occurs in crops, rural areas and meadows. In gardening it is not used, other than to form a soft and fresh cover.
It grows in full sun although it supports the shade.
As for the soil, the dry ones do well, weakly acid with a pH 4.5 – 7.5 and rich in nutrients.
It is propagated by means of seeds.
Applications
- It is a grass that is planted for cultivation as forage, as well as lawn ornamentation.
- Clover is valuable for soil improvement and soil conservation plants.
- This specimen is rich in phosphorus, calcium and protein, so it can provide livestock with many nutrients.
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Images courtesy of: Harry Rose , Harry R…
