Sea medick (Medicago marina, Sp. Pl.: 779 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 779 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Medit to Caucasus

Description

Sea medick, scientifically known as Medicago marina, is an intriguing perennial herb within the Fabaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carolus Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this resilient plant has drawn the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries.

Naturally inhabiting the Canary Islands and extending its range from the Mediterranean region up to the Caucasus, Sea medick thrives in maritime environments, often flourishing in sandy soils and coastal dunes. This habitat preference highlights its remarkable adaptability to saline conditions and poor nutrient soils, making it a vital species for ecological stabilization in its native regions.

Medicago marina is characterized by its creeping growth habit and yellow pea-like flowers that typically bloom through the warmer months. The plant’s foliage consists of trifoliate leaves, which are thick and covered with fine hairs, providing a silvery appearance that aids in reducing water loss through transpiration. This adaptation is particularly beneficial for survival in the dry, saline environments it often encounters.

Beyond its ecological role, Sea medick is also of interest for its potential medicinal properties, similar to other species within the Fabaceae family. While historically not as prominent in traditional medicine as some of its relatives, ongoing studies continue to explore its possible health benefits, owing to its rich profile of bioactive compounds.

In conclusion, Sea medick (Medicago marina) stands as a testament to the incredible diversity and adaptability of the Fabaceae family. Its ability to thrive in harsh coastal environments, along with its potential medicinal value, makes it a subject worthy of both scientific study and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Cat: melgó marí
Eng: sea medick
Swe: strandlusern
En: Sea medick
Ar: نفل (نَفَل)، نفله (نَفَلَه، نَفْله)، نفل (نِفِل), فصة بحرية
Eu: Itsas alpapa
Bg: Крайморска люцерна
Ca: Melgó marí, Alfals marí
Fi: Merimailanen
Fr: Luzerne marine, Luzerne maritime
De: Meer-Schneckenklee, Strand-Schneckenklee
He: אספסת הים
Hu: Tengerparti lucerna
It: Erba medica marina, Erba-medica delle sabbie, Erba-medica marina
Pt: Luzerna-das-praias
Es: Carretón de damas, Carretón de playa
Sv: Strandlusern
Vi: Linh lăng biển

Synonyms

• Medica maritima (Bubani)
• Medica marina ((L.) Lam.)
• Medica tomentosa (Moench)
• Medicago marina var. inermis (Rouy)
• Medicago maritima (Pall. ex Georgi)
• Medicago murex var. tuberculata (Rouy)
• Medicago marina f. tuberculata ((Rouy) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Medicago marina var. tuberculata (Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2019 by Rolland Paillat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Stefano Lazzaretti (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2019 by Rolland Paillat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Stefano Lazzaretti (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2019 by Rolland Paillat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by eric blanchard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Cornus mas (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 11, 2010 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 1, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Serge Klein (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965395)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506275-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago marina L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 3