Moon Trefoil
Medicago arborea
- Native to:
- Albania, Baleares, East Aegean Is., Greece, Italy, Kriti, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Türkiye
,Robert Flogaus-Faust,Robert Flogaus-Faust,A. Barra,,Donald Hobern (www.flickr.com) from Copenhagen, Denmark,Zeynel Cebeci,Digigalos,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Pierre-Joseph Redouté (en.wikipedia.org),Scan by NYPL
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Medicago
- Species:
- Medicago arborea
- USDA Symbol:
- MEAR14
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from the base after fire or cutting; typical of Mediterranean shrubs adapted to fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions; prefers calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical nicking) for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI