Little Bur-Clover
Medicago minima
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Spain, Sudan-South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Fornax
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Medicago
- Species:
- Medicago minima
- USDA Symbol:
- MEMI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in nutrient-poor conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy; germination occurs readily in warm conditions.