Alfalfa (Medicago sativa, Sp. Pl.: 778 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 778 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to W. Siberia and Iran

Description

Alfalfa, known scientifically as Medicago sativa, has long been celebrated for its myriad benefits to both agriculture and human health. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this perennial flowering plant belongs to the Fabaceae family. Originating from a diverse range of regions, including the Mediterranean, Western Siberia, and Iran, alfalfa is recognized for its adaptability and resilience.

Cultivated primarily as forage for livestock, alfalfa is highly valued for its rich nutritional profile. It boasts a high protein content, essential vitamins, and minerals, making it an indispensable component of animal diets. The deep root system of alfalfa not only allows it to access water and nutrients from deeper soil layers but also contributes to soil health by preventing erosion and improving soil structure through nitrogen fixation.

Beyond its agricultural significance, alfalfa has garnered attention for its potential health benefits in humans. It contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including phytoestrogens, antioxidants, and saponins. These compounds have been studied for their potential roles in reducing cholesterol levels, supporting hormonal balance, and providing anti-inflammatory effects.

The adaptability of alfalfa extends to various climates and soils, attributing to its cultivation on a global scale. Its growth cycle, characterized by multiple cuttings per growing season, allows for sustained biomass production, making it an efficient and economically viable crop for farmers.

In summary, Medicago sativa, or alfalfa, is a pivotal plant species within the Fabaceae family with historical roots in the Mediterranean, Western Siberia, and Iranian regions. Its multipurpose usage in agriculture for improving soil health, its nutritional benefits for livestock, and its emerging role in human health underscore its importance across various domains.

Common Names

Eng: alfalfa, lucerne, medick
Deu: echte luzerne, luzerne, saat-luzerne
Dan: lucerne
Por: alfafa, alfafa-de-flor-roxa, alfafa-verdadeira
Ara: burseem, jatt
Ita: erba medica, medica
Fra: luzerne, luzerne commune, luzerne cultivée
Nld: luzerne
Swe: foderlusern
Nob: lusern
Nno: lusern
En: Alfalfa, Lucerne, Otá’tavö’êstse, Дүжер-меде тарымал, Medick, Greek Alfalfa, Purple medick
Af: Lusern
Sq: Jonxhë
Ar: Burseem, Jatt, برسيم حجازى، جدوب (جَدّوب), قداب (قَدَاب)، قدب (قَدْب)، قرض (قَرَض), نفل (نَفَل)، نفله (نَفَلَه، نَفْله)، نفل (نِفِل), Barsym, Barysm haijazi, ألفاألفا, ألفالفا, الفصة, الفصفصة, برسيم حجازي, فصة معمرة, فصفصة
An: Alfalz, Alfaz
Hy: Առվույտ
Eu: Argi-belar
Be: Люцэрна сіняя
Bg: Люцерна
My: အယ်လဖားဖားပင်
Ca: Alfals, Alfalç, Userda, Alfal ver, Mèliga
Zh: 牧蓿, 紫花苜蓿, 紫苜蓿, 苜蓿, 路蒸
Cs: Alfalfa, Tolice vojtěška, Vojtěška, Tolice setá
Da: Lucerne
Nl: Luzerne, Alfalfa, Luzerneklaver, Luzernescheuten
Eo: Luzerno
Et: Harilik lutsern
Fi: Sinimailanen, Alfalfa, Luserni
Fr: Lentine, Luzerne commune, Alfalfa, Luzerne cultivee, Luzerne cultivée, Luzerne
Ka: Იონჯა
De: Blaue Luzerne, Echte Luzerne, Luzerne, Saat-Luzerne, Alfalfa, Saat Luzerne
El: Midkí i ímeros, Μηδική
Gu: રજકો
He: Aspeset, Aspeset Tarbutit, אלפלפה, אספסת תרבותית
Hi: अल्फाल्फा
Hu: Lucerna, Takarmánylucerna
Is: Lúserna, Refasmári
Io: Luzerno
Id: Alfalfa
It: Medica, Erba medica, Erba Spagna, Erba-medica erba-Spagna, Erba-medica
Kn: ಆಲ್ಫಾಲ್ಫ
Kk: Ақсары жоңышқа
Ko: Jajukgaejari, 알팔파, 자주개자리
La: Medica
Lv: Sējas lucerna
Mk: Луцерка
Ms: Alfalfa
Ml: അൽഫാൽഫ
Gv: Alfalfey
Mn: Таримал царгас
Nv: Tłʼoh waaʼí
Ne: लुर्सन घाँस
No: Alfalfa, Blålusern, Lusern
Nb: Lusern
Nn: Lusern
Pa: ਲੂਸਣ
Ps: رشقه
Fa: اسپست, یونجه
Pl: Alfalfa, Lucerna siewna
Pt: Alfafa, Alfalfa, Luzerna, Alfafa-de-flor-roxa, Alfafa-verdadeira
Ro: Lucernă
Ru: Люцерна посевная
Sr: Луцерка
Sk: Lucerna siata
Es: Afalfe, Afarfa, Alfal, Alfalce bordo, Alfalce, Alfalfa brava, Alfalfa mansa, Alfalfa silvestre, Alfalfa, Alfalfe, Alfalz, Alfance, Alfange, Alfarfa, Alfauce, Alfaz, Alfás, Alholva, Almierca, Amelca, Amielcas, Arfarfa, Carretón borde, Carretón, Ervaye, Falfa, Farfa, Melga, Miajera, Mielca, Mielcón, Mielga, Mielgas, Mierga, Miergas, Mierpes, Nielga, Probayernos, Trebolillo, Trébol de España, Zarza, Alfalfa Rustica, Alfa alfa
Sv: Alfalfa, Alfalfafrö, Blålusern, Blåluzern, Gullusern, Lusern, Foderlusern
Tl: Alpalpa
Zh-tw: 紫花苜蓿
Tg: Ришқаи боғӣ
Ta: குதிரை மசால்
Te: అల్ఫాల్ఫా
Th: ถั่วอัลฟัลฟา
Zh-hant: 紫花苜蓿
Tr: Adi Yonca, Alfalfa, Kaba yonca, Yonca, Yoncagl, Şark yoncası
Uk: Люцерна посівна
Ur: لوسن، الفصفصة، فصفصة نبات، فصة
Vi: Cỏ linh lăng
Wa: Advalfa, Luzere

Synonyms

• Medica sativa ((L.) Mill.)
• Medicago sativa var. vulgaris (Alef.)
• Medicago vera (Kirschl.)
• Medicago sativa f. microphylla (Pau)
• Medicago sativa subsp. vulgaris ((Alef.) Arcang.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Alabama (introduced)
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• Altay (introduced)
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• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yakutskiya (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2020 by Meineke Dietlinde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2018 by Ricardo Aperador Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2020 by Meineke Dietlinde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2020 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2017 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by I_speak_when Nobody_asks (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by I_speak_when Nobody_asks (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2019 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by I_speak_when Nobody_asks (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9151957)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30234961-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago sativa L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 6.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7