Yellow alfalfa (Medicago falcata, Sp. Pl.: 779 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 779 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Medicago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Mongolia and Indian Subcontinent

Description

Yellow alfalfa, known scientifically as Medicago falcata, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. First documented by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, this species has garnered attention for its wide distribution and agricultural importance.

Native to a broad geographical range extending from Europe to Mongolia and reaching into the Indian subcontinent, Medicago falcata thrives in a variety of climatic conditions. This adaptability makes it a resilient and versatile species within its native habitats and beyond.

Characterized by its bright yellow flowers, Yellow alfalfa is not just aesthetically appealing but also ecologically significant. It is often praised for its role in nitrogen fixation, which enhances soil fertility and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. This ability to enrich the soil is a hallmark of the Fabaceae family, to which Yellow alfalfa belongs, and underscores the plant’s value in crop rotations and pasture management.

Additionally, Medicago falcata is known for its deep-rooting system, which makes it drought-resistant and well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions. This quality is particularly beneficial in areas where water scarcity poses a significant challenge to farming and livestock grazing.

In summary, Yellow alfalfa (Medicago falcata) is a remarkable plant that not only contributes to the landscape’s floral diversity but also plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture through its soil-enriching properties. Its extensive distribution and adaptability further cement its status as a vital species in both natural ecosystems and managed agricultural environments.

Common Names

Fra: luzerne en faux, luzerne sauvage, luzerne à fruits en faux
Deu: sichel-schneckenklee, sichelklee
Por: alfafa-da-suécia, feno-da-borgonha, luzerna-de-sequeiro, luzerna-dea-suécia, melga, melga-dos-prados
Eng: sickle medick
Nld: sikkelklaver
Sme: fiskesluovvaraš
En: Yellow alfalfa, ALFALFA, Sickle Medick, Дүжер-меде кадыырзыг
Ar: فصة منجلية
Be: Люцэрна серпападобная
Bg: Сърповидна люцерна
Ca: Alfals bord
Zh: 野苜蓿, 黄花苜蓿
Cs: Tolice srpovitá
Nl: Sikkelklaver
Et: Sirplutsern
Fr: Luzerne sauvage, Luzerne en faux, Luzerne à fruits en faux
De: Sichelklee, Sichel-Schneckenklee, Gelbe Luzerne
He: אספסת חרמשית
It: Erba-medica falcata
Kk: Дала жоңышқасы
Lt: Geltonžiedė liucerna
Se: Fiskesluovvaraš
Pt: Alfafa-da-suécia, Feno-da-borgonha, Luzerna-de-sequeiro, Luzerna-dea-suécia, Melga, Melga-dos-prados
Sr: Жута луцерка
Es: Alfalfa de las arenas
Zh-tw: 黃花苜蓿
Cy: Maglys corniog
: Sickle-podded alfalfa

Synonyms

• Medicago sativa subsp. falcata ((L.) Arcang.)
• Medicago falcata var. angustissima (Holmb.)
• Medicago sativa var. falcata ((L.) Döll)
• Medica falcata ((L.) Mill.)
• Medicago falcata f. arenaria (C.G.H.Thed.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Altay (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chita (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Tuva (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Yakutskiya (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Flower

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Jean-Marc Jean-Marc Alcaïno (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by molala (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2020 by Luiz Kazan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Alvena (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by molala (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2021 by Viktor netek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Ewa Zakrzeńska (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Contented88 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Clement Devaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Clement Devaux (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Lionel F (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2965354)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:506175-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Medicago falcata L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 6.0