Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Fabaceae / Papilionaceae
Medicago lupulina L.
English name: Hop-Clover, Black medick.
Local name:
Description:
A prostrate or semi-erect, annual to perennial herb. Leaves hairy compound three
foliate leaflets usually obovate, cuneate, retuse to obcordate. Flowers yellow
minute, in dense head like inflorescence on long axillary peduncles; calyx
pubescent 1-1.5 mm long, corolla 2.5-3 mm long. Fruit curved one seeded, 2-3 mm.
Flowering Period:
February toApril.
Habitat:
Found in moist meadows in association with Cynodon,
frequent in lawns.
Uses:
The plant is reported to possess limitive properties.
Aqueous extract of the plant show anti-bacterial
activity against mycobacteria, also grazed by livestock
Distribution:
Pakistan; Kashmir; India; Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria,
Turkey, Europe, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somali Republic,
Tanganyika and Kenya.
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