Luigi Rignanes, 2007, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu

Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s): Goldfields medic, burr medick, Medicago minima (L.) L. var. pubescens Webb, Medicago minima (L.) L. var. compacta Neyraut, Medicago minima (L.) L. var. longiseta DC,

Duration: Annual

Habit: Forb/ Herb

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Medicago minima is an annual herb. The stems and branches are arching, spreading or decumbent. This plant spreads along the ground or surface with its extremities curving upward. Grows trailing or sometimes mat forming. Stems are less than 1 m tall. Stems are solid, sparsely to densely hairy. The leaves of Little bur-clover are alternate and petiolate, stipules conspicuous. The stipules are green, triangulate to lanceolate or foliaceous. Leaves are hairy on one or both sides. Flowers are orange or yellow, zygomorphic. Petals are separate and clawed, calyx hairy. There are 9- 10 stamens with 9 united, 1 free (diadelphous). Inflorescences has globose heads. Fruit is a legume. The fruit is spirally coiled or contorted. Fruit spiny, bur-like with hooked bristles or prickles. Seeds are olive, brown, or black with a smooth surface.

History:

Biology & Spread: Medicago minima forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which is capable of nitrogen fixation. Little bur-clover thrives on disturbed soils, and flowers April - July. This plant usually occurs in non wetlands, but can sometimes be found in wetlands. Medicago minima occurs at an elevation between 40 and 1290 meters.

Ecological Threat:

US Habitat: Low roadsides, disturbed shores, and other moist open habitats. Usually found in non-wetlands, but occasionally in wetland areas.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Mediterranean basin

US States: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, HI, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA

Resembles/Alternatives:

Management:

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Data Source

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MEMI

http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Medicago+minima

http://eol.org/pages/703643/details#physical_description

http://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=plant&plant=2995

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=32934

Last Updated: 2013-12-13 by Kathryn D'Amico