Black Medic
Scientific Name: Medicago lupulina L.
Weed Family: Fabaceae
Description
Black medic is normally a summer annual, but can act as a perennial in some conditions. It has a taproot, and spreads low to the ground, but it does not root from nodes on the stems. Black medic is more active on soils low in nitrogen fertility. The leaf is similar to clover and other legumes, having three leaflets. Black medic’s center leaflet is on a separate petiole. The flower of black medic is a compressed cluster of bright yellow flowers in the shape of a globular spike on short branches. The seed pod will turn black at maturity. Black medic produces viable seed under normal mowing conditions. Black medic is found throughout the continental United States.
Herbicide Use
If cultural recommendations are insufficient for a previously infested area, apply a selective herbicide to actively growing black medic during the seedling to flower growth stage.
Distribution
Germination Dates
Zone-3: June
Zone-4: June
Zone-5: May
Zone-6: April-May
Zone-7: March
Zone-8: March
Zone-9: February
PBI-Gordon Product Recommendations
