Black Medic Medicago lupulina
Table of Contents
An annual or short lived perennial, ‘clover like’ wildflower that’s very similar in appearance to lesser trefoil. It’s happiest growing on dry, nutrient deficient soils in grassland or disturbed soils. A member of the ‘pea’ family, black medic attracts many pollinating insects, including bees, butterflies and moths.
General information
Plant family: Fabaceae
Aliases: Hop clover, hop medic, yellow clover, yellow trefoil, black grass, nonesuch
Flowering period: April – October
Flower colour: Yellow
Preferred soil type: Dry, infertile
Habitat: Grassland, waste areas, disturbed ground
Status: Common
A procumbent, annual, biennial or short lived perennial plant and a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). Black medic is very similar in appearance to yellow suckling clover, the only obvious difference being the yellow flowers. The flowers on this plant are more compact and globoid, than those of yellow suckling clover (lesser trefoil).
Its preferred habitat is in grassland, waste areas and on disturbed ground such as arable fields and garden borders. It will grow in most types of soil, but thrives in dry, infertile soils. Black medic is often considered a weed to gardeners, as it can be a problem in garden borders. It can also, on occasions be a headache in lawns, as it’s a difficult plant to eradicate.
As this wildflower is a legume it has the ability to fix nitrogen. Put simply, this means the plant has the ability to draw nitrogen (with the help of bacteria) from the air, convert it into a usable form and store it in it’s root system. When the nitrogen is stored, lumps on the roots are created, these are known as nitrogen nodules, which are beneficial to the soil.
This naturally enhances soil fertility and health without synthetic fertilisers, creating a more robust foundation for neighbouring wildflowers and plants to thrive.
Identification
Flowers: Black medic produces tiny yellow flowers 2 – 3mm in diameter, which are grouped together into tight racemes, totalling between 20 – 50 flowers, which measure between 6 – 8mm across. The flowering period is between April and October.
Leaves: The trifoliate leaves (measuring up to 13mm in diameter) consist of two lateral and a central leaflet, with central leaflet borne on a short stalk. The leaflets are round to oval in shape, very similar to clovers.
They are almost identical in appearance to those of yellow suckling clover, however, there are some very subtle differences. The central leaflet of black medic has a pointed tip and is bourn on a short stalk (petiole). Both the pointed tip and petiole are absent on the yellow suckling clover.
Seed Pods: Following pollination black medic produces fruit or seed pods that turn black when they reach maturity. Each pod produces an amber seed. See above image.
Value for wildlife
Despite frequently being dismissed as a turf weed, Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)—a member of the pea family (Fabaceae)—holds significant ecological and wildlife value, particularly for pollinators:
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Pollinator Magnet: Its small, bright yellow clusters of flowers provide a reliable, rich source of nectar and pollen over a long flowering season (typically from April through October). It is regularly visited by a wide variety of insects, including honeybees, smaller solitary bees (such as mining and halictid bees), butterflies, and moths.
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Support for Local Food Webs: By attracting a diverse array of beneficial insects and pollinators, it boosts the micro-ecosystem of lawns, meadows, and garden borders, which in turn supports higher predators like birds and beneficial garden insects.
Uses of black medic
The leaves of black medic can be used as a pot-herb, they’re cooked and eaten just the same as most salad greens. The seeds have been used in the past, as it was said that Native Americans parched them on the ground to make flour.
It has been used as a fodder crop for cattle and livestock, however it can be harmful to them, as if too much is eaten it can cause dangerous gastric problems.
It’s name suggests it has medicinal properties and it has reportedly used to cure constipation, as it contains mild laxative properties.
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