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Species
Medicago polymorpha L.
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Medicago polymorpha L., burclover, is a shallow-rooted annual legume. The characteristic growth habit of burclover is one of numerous prostrate stems branching from the crown and spreading outward 6 to 30 inches. Where thick stands develop stems may become erect, obtaining heights of 18 to 24 inches in more favorable years. The leaves are subglabrous and clover-like in appearance, with leaflets normally wedge-shaped and toothed toward the top. The inflorescence is usually quite limited, presenting only a few small, yellow, pea-like flowers. The several-seeded fruit is a flattened, coiled pod, commonly up to 1/4 inch in width and fringed with a double row of conspicuous, hooked spines. Well developed plants may produce more than 1,000 pods. The seed is rather large for a legume of this type, usually developing to over 3/32 inch in length.
Although often considered an indigenous California plant, burclover was introduced from southern Europe. Burclover has become extensively naturalized in the United States from cultivation as a hay or cover crop. It is one of the more widely recognized Medicago species, especially west of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, where it is most abundant.
Burclover does poorly on soils of low fertility. In establishing stands, except on very fertile soils, the use of fertilizer is routinely recommended. Growth is especially poor on droughty, sulfur deficient, granite soils and fertilization with sulfur and phosphorous is required.
Seedings of burclover are made in late summer or early fall. Later seeding provides little time for fall and winter growth and plants are more susceptible to cold temperatures and frost-heaving. The recommended seeding rate is 9 pounds per acre. In dry areas, one irrigation period just before seeding is ordinarily required. Earlier seeding or unusually dry falls may necessitate a second irrigation to keep seedlings from being lost to drought.
Naturalized stands of burclover usually have adequate seed inoculation. For added success in developing new stands, inoculation of the seed with commercial inoculate is recommended. Scarification of the seed may also be necessary to ensure proper establishment.
polymorpha: of many forms
Foodplant / spot causer
conidioma of Sporonema coelomycetous anamorph of Leptotrochila medicaginis causes spots on live leaf of Medicago polymorpha
Foodplant / parasite
mostly hypophyllous uredium of Uromyces pisi-sativi parasitises live leaf of Medicago polymorpha
Other: minor host/prey
polymorpha: of many forms
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings, Flora of Zimbabwe |
Source | http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/cult/species.php?species_id=128450 |
Fl.Per.: March-May.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=242331818 |
Notes: Moist places near water courses
Canada
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Medicago+polymorpha |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 6
Specimens with Barcodes: 23
Species With Barcodes: 1