Southern medick (Medicago turbinata, Fl. Pedem. 1: 315 (1785))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) All.

Bibliography: Fl. Pedem. 1: 315 (1785)

Year: 1785

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Iraq

Description

Southern medick, scientifically known as Medicago turbinata, is a member of the Fabaceae family. This plant was first described in the literature by naturalist Carlo Allioni in his 1785 work, Flora Pedemontana. The reference to this plant can be found in volume 1, on page 315 of this seminal text.

The southern medick is native to the Mediterranean region and extends its range eastward to Iraq. This distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, ranging from the relatively mild Mediterranean climates to the more arid environments found in Iraq.

Southern medick is an integral part of its ecosystem, contributing to soil health by fixing nitrogen, a characteristic function of many Fabaceae family members. This nitrogen-fixing ability enhances soil fertility, making southern medick a valuable plant in agricultural and natural settings.

Adapted to thrive in various environmental conditions, Medicago turbinata exhibits a resilience that makes it a significant species for study and cultivation in areas seeking to improve soil quality and support sustainable agricultural practices.

Common Names

Eng: southern medick, cogwheel burr medic, tubercled medick
Swe: knöllusern
En: Southern medick, Cogwheel burr medic, Tubercled medick
Ar: نفل (نَفَل)، نفله (نَفَلَه، نَفْله)، نفل (نِفِل)
Fr: Luzerne à tubercules
De: Kreisel-Schneckenklee
It: Erba-medica tubercolata
Sv: Knöllusern

Synonyms

• Medicago catalonica (Schrank)
• Medicago tuberculata ((Retz.) Willd.)
• Medicago apiculata (Bastard)
• Medicago compressa (Biroli ex Colla)
• Medicago tuberculata var. aculeata (Moris)
• Medicago terebellum var. catalonica ((Schrank) W.D.J.Koch)
• Medicago turbinata var. inermis (Asch.)
• Medicago polymorpha var. tuberculata (Retz.)
• Medicago spinulosa (DC.)
• Medicago tuberculata f. sinistrorsa (Urb.)
• Medicago tuberculata f. pubescens ((DC.) Urb.)
• Medicago tuberculata var. syriaca (Tod. ex Urb.)
• Medicago tuberculata var. submutica (Evenari)
• Medicago polymorpha var. turbinata (L.)
• Medicago tuberculata var. brevispina (Rouy)
• Medicago tuberculata f. dextrorsa (Urb.)
• Medicago tuberculata var. chiotica (Urb.)
• Medicago turbinata subsp. spinulosa ((DC.) Ponert)
• Medicago tuberculata var. warburgiana (Evenari)
• Medicago sphaerocarpa (Costa)
• Medicago tuberculata var. catalonica ((Schrank) Pau)
• Medicago tuberculata var. apiculata (Eichler)
• Medicago rugosa (d’Urv.)
• Medicago tuberculata var. spinulosa ((DC.) Rouy)
• Medicago tuberculata var. vulgaris (Moris)
• Medicago pubescens (DC.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

Leaf

Taken Apr 14, 2020 by lou H (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by kartik kartik (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by audrey verdusen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 6, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by kartik kartik (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 6, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965461)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago turbinata (L.) All.)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506480-1)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 6