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Medicago lupulina (Black medick)

Other names: Black none-such, Blackseed, Melilot trefoil, Nonsuch, Yellow clover, Yellow trefoil, Black grass, Hop clover

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Species
M. lupulina is a vigorous, compact, trailing annual or short-lived perennial with compound leaves divided into three ovate to ovate, toothed, mid- to dark green leaflets and, from mid-spring to midsummer, clover-like, yellow flowers followed by hairy, curled, green seed pods ripening black.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.5 m 0.5 m 1-2 years
1 ft 1 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Neutral
  • Acid
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Prefers moist but well-drained or well-drained, acid to neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates slightly alkaline soil and poor, dry conditions. Fixes nitrogen in the soil so is suitable for use as a green manure. Considered an invasive species in most introduced areas.

Suggested uses

Ground Cover, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Bees (attract & feed bees), Green manure, Meadow

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Trailing

Native to

Western Asia, Europe, Great Britain, Northern Africa, Southern Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

If cut back before flowering, the plant will grow for another year. If grown as an annual, remove at the end of the growing season. If grown as a green manure, chop the leaves back and leave to wilt. Two weeks prior to planting the desired crop, dig the wilted plants into the soil.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in spring or autumn.

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Remove annuals at end of flowering season (optional)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Sow seed in situ

Dig bean plants into the soil when crop is over

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Persistent hoeing to weaken weeds

Mow out perennial weeds

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (2)

Melilotus

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Melilotus officinalis
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Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweet clover
Medicago lupulina
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Medicago lupulina Black medick
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Companion plants (0)

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