Black medic growth

Typical plant growing in disturbed site. Photo by S. Donaldson.

Black medic leaves

This photo shows two compound leaves, each made of three leaflets.

Note the tooth at the tip of each leaflet. Photo by W. Hanson Mazet.

Black madic flowers

The tiny individual yellow flowers are arranged in clusters to form

the flower heads. Photo by S. Donaldson.

Black medic seedlings

Seedlings leaves are pale on the underside. Photo courtesy of J. DiTomaso, UCCE.
 

 

Other common names

Black medick, yellow trefoil, black clover, hop clover, black hay, etc.

Scientific name

Medicago lupulina

Family

Fabaceae

Description

A low-growing spreading weed commonly found in lawns or pastures, black medic can be differentiated from other common lawn clovers by its yellow flowers. It grows well in dry soil low in nitrogen or compacted soil.

  • Leaves

    Compound, with three oval leaflets with visible teeth at the tips. The central tooth on each leaflet is a bit longer than the others. The center leaflet has a longer stalk. Leaves have soft hairs.

  • Stems

    Grow flat to the ground, branch, and may be more than a foot long. Stems are softly hairy.

    Flowers

    Yellow flowers are tiny and group together in clusters of as many as 50 individual flowers. Blooms from spring to mid-summer. Seedpods turn black at maturity.

  • Roots

    Grows a thin taproot with many fine, spreading roots.

Native to

Eastern Europe and Asia

Where it grows

Lawns, pastures, gardens, roadsides, crops and forests

Life cycle

Annual (sprouts, flowers and dies in a single year); sometimes lives longer.

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed.

Control methods

Control relies on preventing production of seed. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, which live for several years.

 

  • Mechanical

    Dig, hoe or pull small patches. It’s easiest to pull them when the soil is moist. Mowing alone does not provide control.

    Cultural

    Encourage thick, competitive vegetation. In turf, mow high (to 3½ inches) so the grass will shade the black medic, and aerate to relieve compaction. Use thick mulches in garden settings.

    Biological

    Can be grazed when young, but contains substances toxic to livestock, so grazing must be carefully managed.

    Chemical

    Apply broadleaf-selective herbicides such as 2,4-D+dicamba on young plants. Glyphosate may also be effective but is nonselective and can kill or damage other plants, including lawn grasses. Preemergence herbicides are available.

References

DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Publication 3488.

UC IPM. No date. Black medic, IPM.

UC Berkeley Jepson Manual. 2012. Medicago lupulina L., UC/JEPS.

Whitson, Tom D. (editor). 2009. Weeds of the West. University of Wyoming, Jackson, Wyoming.

Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2013, A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Black Medic, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-13
Printable    Version    (PDF)

Extension Associated Contacts

Wendy Hanson Mazet
Wendy Hanson Mazet
 

Also of Interest:

 
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Strategies for Grazing Management
Informational publication on various strategies for grazing management, such as targeted grazing, for fuel management, or with multiple grazing species.
 Swanson, S., Voth, D. 2019, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP-19-02
Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) - Introduction
This report was designed to provide a clear overview of the complex and often confusing world of rangeland monitoring. Included are a suite of short- and long-term monitoring methods.
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Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) | Chapter 01 - A Framework for Monitoring Swanson, S., Schultz, B., Novak-Echenique, P., Dyer, K., McCuin, G., Linebaugh, J., Perryman, P., Tueller, P., Jenkins, R., Scherrer, B., Vogel, T., Voth, D., Freese, M., Shane, R., McGowan, K. 2018, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03
 

Associated Programs

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Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

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Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.