Alfalfa lupulin

The alfalfa lupulin is a herbaceous Plante annual or bi-annual, of the family of the Fabacée S, rather common in the moderated areas, sometimes cultivated like Fourrage.

Scientific name: Medicago lupulina L., family of the Fabacée S, subfamily of the Faboideae , tribe of the Trifolieae , kind Medicago , section Lupularia .

Vernacular names: lupulin, iron ore, mignonette, small yellow clover

Description

It is an annual or bi-annual plant, sometimes long-lived thanks to adventitious buds on the roots, measuring from 15 to 60 cm in height, with fine stems often lying at the beginning of growth, being rectified then.

The trifoliolées sheets, carried by a long petiole, have oval leaflets, partially toothed towards the top.

The yellow flowers, very small, are grouped in tight bunches.

The fruit is a pod indéhiscente, of a little arched form, including/understanding only one seed.

Distribution

This plant meets in the old world: all the Europe, most of the Asia, including the China, the Korea and Taiwan, as well as the Indian Sub-continent, and the North Africa and islands of the Atlantic (the Canaries, Madeira).

It is liked in the grounds Calcaire S and dry, where it suffers less competition from the other plants. It resists quite cold and meets in mountain up to 1800 m of altitude.

Use

fodder plant: this plant relatively not very productive, but of very good fodder value, uses sometimes the composition of artificial meadows, especially when those are established in light and dry grounds. It meets commonly in the natural pastures.

plant mellifère.

See too

Alfalfa

External bonds

August 1st

Random links: