Water medick (Medicago littoralis, Not. Fl. France: 119 (1810))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Rohde ex Loisel.

Bibliography: Not. Fl. France: 119 (1810)

Year: 1810

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Caucasus

Description

Water medick, scientifically known as Medicago littoralis, is a perennial plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. First documented in 1810 by Rohde ex Loisel. in the reference text “Not. Fl. France: 119,” this species has garnered attention for its distribution and ecological versatility.

Thriving primarily in regions ranging from Macaronesia to the Mediterranean and extending to the Caucasus, Water medick adapts well to a variety of coastal environments. Its robust nature allows it to flourish in sandy and saline soils typically found along shorelines, making it an important component of coastal plant communities.

This species can be identified by its characteristic compound leaves, which are composed of small, oval leaflets with fine, serrated edges. The plant produces small, yellow flowers that are arranged in dense clusters. These blooms eventually give rise to its seed pods, which are coiled, a notable feature shared among many in the Medicago genus.

Water medick plays a significant role in stabilizing coastal sandy soils, thus preventing erosion. Its presence is also beneficial for nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil through its symbiotic relationship with root bacteria. This ecological contribution supports the growth of other plant species in its habitat.

Given its adaptations and ecological benefits, Medicago littoralis is not just a mere plant but an integral part of coastal ecosystem dynamics. Whether studied for academic purposes or its environmental importance, Water medick remains a remarkable species within the Fabaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: kyst-sneglebælg
Eng: water medick, shore medick, strand medic
Ita: medica litorale
Cat: melgó litoral
Nld: strandrupsklaver
Swe: mattlusern
En: Water medick, Shore Medick, Strand medic
Ar: فصة شاطئية
Eu: Dunetako medikago
Ca: Melgó litoral
Da: Kyst-sneglebælg
Nl: Strandrupsklaver
Fi: Rantamailanen
Fr: Luzerne Du Littoral
It: Erba medica litorale, Medica litorale
Sv: Mattlusern
Vi: Linh lăng duyên hải

Synonyms

• Medicago gracilis (Biv.)
• Medicago littoralis var. depressa (Urb.)
• Medicago cylindracea (DC.)
• Medicago littoralis var. cylindracea ((DC.) Urb.)
• Medicago littoralis var. rouyana (Fiori)
• Medicago tetracycla (C.Presl)
• Medicago littoralis var. rugulosa (Batt.)
• Medica littoralis ((Rohde ex Loisel.) Bubani)
• Medicago littoralis var. breviseta (DC.)
• Medicago littoralis var. inermis (Moris)
• Medicago truncatula subsp. littoralis ((Rohde ex Loisel.) Ponert)
• Medicago littoralis var. longiseta (DC.)
• Medicago littoralis var. longeaculeata (Moris)
• Medicago littoralis subsp. longiseta ((DC.) Urb.)
• Medicago subinermis (Bertol.)
• Medicago littoralis f. dextrorsa (Urb.)
• Medicago littoralis f. breviseta ((DC.) Casellas)
• Medicago littoralis subsp. inermis ((Moris) Urb.)
• Medicago littoralis subsp. cylindracea ((DC.) Nyman)
• Medicago littoralis var. dextrorsa (Durieu)
• Medicago pusilla (Viv.)
• Medicago littoralis f. sinistrorsa (Urb.)
• Medicago rugulosa (Batt.)
• Medicago braunii (Gren. & Godr.)
• Medicago littoralis f. polyantha (Merino)
• Medicago littoralis var. pentacycla (Urb.)
• Medicago arenaria (Ten.)
• Medicago tetracycla var. littoralis (C.Presl)
• Medicago littoralis f. braunii ((Gren. & Godr.) Bolzon)
• Medicago trigyna (Sennen)
• Medicago littoralis var. arenaria ((Ten.) Bolzon)
• Medicago littoralis subsp. braunii ((Gren. & Godr.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Medicago littoralis subsp. breviseta ((DC.) Urb.)
• Medicago littoralis var. subinermis ((Bertol.) Boiss.)

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)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 6, 2022 by Philippe Weber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Cavaiolo Emanuele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Jorge Hernández López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Victoria C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Bruin Dirk (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 25, 2021 by Santiago Clemente (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gisèle Dakhlia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gisèle Dakhlia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Giuseppe.pl1 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 19, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

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

Fruit

Taken May 24, 2022 by Jocelyne Rosset (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gisèle Dakhlia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965485)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506264-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago littoralis Loisel.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 3