Hairy medick (Medicago monspeliaca, Bull. Sci. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg 8: 272 (1841))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Trautv.

Bibliography: Bull. Sci. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg 8: 272 (1841)

Year: 1841

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, Canary Is. to Pakistan

Description

Hairy medick, scientifically known as Medicago monspeliaca, is a fascinating member of the Fabaceae family. This species was described by (L.) Trautv. and officially documented in the Bulletin of the Scientific Academy of the Imperial Sciences in Saint-Pétersbourg in the year 1841.

Native to a wide geographical range, hairy medick can be found stretching from the reaches of Europe all the way to the Caucasus region. Its habitat extends further, even being present in areas as diverse as the Canary Islands and Pakistan. The adaptability of Medicago monspeliaca to various climates and terrains highlights its resilience and evolutionary success as a species.

Hairy medick is notable for its characteristic appearance, which has made it a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. The plant plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, contributing to the nitrogen cycle, as many members of the Fabaceae family do, by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by other plants.

The broad distribution of hairy medick also points to its potential benefits in agricultural settings, where it could be utilized for soil improvement and as forage for livestock. Its versatility and ecological contributions underscore the importance of understanding and preserving this species within its natural habitats.

To sum up, Medicago monspeliaca, or hairy medick, is a remarkable plant with a rich geographical presence and significant ecological roles. Its documentation over 180 years ago marks a historical acknowledgment of its value and continues to inspire ongoing observation and study.

Common Names

Eng: hairy medick
Swe: fransklusern
En: Hairy medick, Star-fruited Fenugreek
Ca: Alfolva de Montpeller
Fr: Luzerne de Montpellier, Trigonelle de Montpellier
De: Französischer Bockshornklee, Kleiner Kuhhornklee
He: גרגרנית מצויה
It: Fieno-greco di Montpellier
Es: Alholva de frutos estrellados
Sv: Fransklusern

Synonyms

• Telis monspeliaca ((L.) Kuntze)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. eigii (Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca subsp. caulescens (Feinbrun)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. leiocarpa ((W.D.J.Koch) Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. incisa (Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca var. macrocarpa (Bornm.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. macrocarpa ((Bornm.) Širj.)
• Buceras monspeliaca ((L.) All.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. naftolskyi ((Eig) Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca (L.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca var. petiolata (Post)
• Buceras elliptica (Moench)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. moabitica (Širj. & Eig)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. nuda (Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca f. petiolata ((Post) Širj.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca var. leiocarpa (W.D.J.Koch)
• Falcatula monspeliaca ((L.) Fourr.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca var. glabrata (Eig)
• Trigonella divaricata (Clairv.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca var. naftolskyi (Eig)
• Trigonella parviflora (Sm.)
• Trigonella monspeliaca subsp. subacaulis (Feinbrun)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 13, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by k.dimitrov d (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Bruno MACÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 31, 1880 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965434)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506295-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago monspeliaca (L.) Trautv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]