Tattered medick (Medicago laciniata, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 5 (1768))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 5 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia to Ethiopia and Tanzania, S. Africa, W. & SW. Asia to W. Himalaya

Description

Tattered medick, scientifically known as Medicago laciniata, is a member of the Fabaceae family, a prominent family within the legume group. This versatile plant species boasts a wide natural range, extending from Macaronesia through Ethiopia and Tanzania, down to Southern Africa, and further reaching Western and Southwestern Asia all the way to the Western Himalaya. Its capacity to thrive in diverse regions underscores its adaptability and resilience.

First described in the 8th edition of the “Gardener’s Dictionary” in 1768 by esteemed botanist Philip Miller, this plant has secured its place in botanical literature. Despite being less renowned compared to its relatives such as alfalfa, Medicago laciniata contributes significantly to its ecosystems. It is recognized for its distinctive “tattered” appearance of foliage and pods, which lend the plant its intriguing common name.

Like other members of the Fabaceae family, tattered medick likely engages in symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enhancing soil fertility—a characteristic that underpins the agricultural value of many legumes. Its occurrence across a broad geographical gradient highlights its ecological flexibility, adapting to various climatic and soil conditions from arid regions to temperate habitats.

Moreover, Medicago laciniata’s distribution suggests its ecological importance across several continents, providing forage for livestock and playing a role in soil stabilization. The species’ extensive presence across Africa and Asia also indicates its potential utility in sustainable agricultural practices in regions where native flora are integral to farming systems.

In summary, Medicago laciniata, or tattered medick, is an ecological asset within the Fabaceae family. Its wide distribution, intriguing morphological features, and environmental adaptability make it a noteworthy subject in botany and agriculture.

Common Names

Eng: cutleaf medick, tattered medick, cut-leaf medic, cut-leaved medick, cut-leaved medic
Deu: gelappter schneckenklee
Fra: luzerne laciniée
Est: lõhine lutsern
Swe: traslusern, schimperlusern/traslusern
Nld: slipbladrupsklaver
Cym: maglys carpiog
En: Tattered medick, Cut-leaf medic, Cutleaf medick, Little burr clover, Cut-leaved medick, Cut-leaved medic, Cutleaf Medic
Af: Karoo klitslawer
Ar: عدريس (عَدريس)، دريسى (دِرِيسى), عقيل (عُقيل), نفل (نَفَل)، نفله (نَفَلَه، نَفْله)، نفل (نِفِل), فصة رثة
Nl: Slipbladrupsklaver
Et: Lõhine lutsern
Fi: Nirkkomailanen
Fr: Luzerne laciniée
De: Gelappter Schneckenklee
He: אספסת מפוצלת
It: Erba medica laciniata, Erba-medica laciniata
Fa: یونجه پاره‌پاره
Sv: Traslusern, Schimperlusern/traslusern
Vi: Linh lăng lá khía
Cy: Maglys carpiog

Synonyms

• Medicago schimperiana (Hochst. ex Boiss.)
• Medicago laciniata var. leonis (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Medicago aschersoniana var. brachyacantha ((Boiss.) Urb.)
• Medicago polymorpha var. laciniata (L.)
• Medicago laciniata var. brevispina (Benth. ex Urb.)
• Medicago laciniata subsp. aschersoniana ((Urb.) Thell.)
• Medicago monantha (Blatt.)
• Medicago pseudogranatensis (Blatt.)
• Medicago laciniata var. brachyantha (Boiss.)
• Medicago laciniata var. brachyacantha (Boiss.)
• Medicago laciniata subsp. schimperiana ((Hochst. ex Boiss.) P.Fourn.)
• Medicago diffusa (Poir.)
• Medicago aschersoniana (Urb.)
• Medicago laciniata var. saharae (Nègre)
• Medicago laciniata var. micrechinus (Maire)
• Medicago laciniata var. longispina (Benth. ex Urb.)
• Medicago laciniata var. diffusa ((Poir.) F.M.Vázquez)
• Medicago leonis (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Medicago aschersoniana f. pilosula (Urb.)
• Medicago laciniata var. intermedia (Nègre)
• Medicago laciniata subsp. longispina ((Benth. ex Urb.) Arcang.)
• Medicago aschersoniana var. macrantha (Urb.)
• Medicago laciniata var. pilosa (Nábělek)
• Medicago laciniata var. integrifolia (Delile)
• Medicago laciniata var. brevidenticulata (Candargy)
• Medicago laciniata subsp. brevispina ((Benth. ex Urb.) Arcang.)
• Medicago laciniata var. integriuscula (Cuisin)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (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.

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

Flower

Taken Jun 16, 2019 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 16, 2019 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506247-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965221)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago laciniata (L.) Mill.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth