Sickle Medick

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sickle Medick

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Medicago sativa var. falcata
• Medicago sativa subsp. falcata
• Medica falcata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Medicago falcata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and the genus Medicago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence is documented throughout the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its reach into the Scandinavian territory of Norway. Consequently, its geographical range is concentrated within these specific Northern European nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Medicago falcata is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1800 m AMSL. This species frequently inhabits disturbed environments, specifically showing a preference for crop fields where it can establish itself within agricultural landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Medicago falcata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Medicago falcata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and is primarily a terrestrial plant that can occupy aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a self-supporting liana or vine with an ascending shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Medicago falcata is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies adapted to its environmental niche. This species utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a method of carbon fixation where carbon dioxide is initially incorporated into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, typically making it more efficient in temperate or cooler climates compared to C4 or CAM pathways. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant is non-carnivorous, relying on its root system and symbiotic relationships rather than the trapping of insects to obtain essential nitrogen and other minerals.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Medicaego falcata is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in June and concludes in September. The pollination process is driven by biotic mechanisms, specifically following an insect pollination syndrome. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating external agents for successful fertilization. The plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which is dehiscent, allowing for the release of seeds. The seeds exhibit a relatively small mass, with a mean weight of approximately 0.00282875 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0009 g to a maximum of 0.0135 g. Following maturation, the dispersal of these seeds is primarily anemochorous, relying on wind for distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0135 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00282875 g

Seed mass min:

9e-04 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Medicago falcata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include L-phenylalanine, Trigonelline, ferulic acid, isoliquiritigenin.

L-phenylalanine

1. Plant, cell & environment

Trigonelline

1. Plant, cell & environment

ferulic acid

1. Plant, cell & environment

isoliquiritigenin

1. Plant, cell & environment

Activities

Medicago falcata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Plant, cell & environment

Antioxidant

1. Plant, cell & environment

Conditions

Medicago falcata has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria.

Acinetobacter baumannii

1. Plant, cell & environment

Bacillus subtilis

1. Plant, cell & environment

Escherichia coli

1. Plant, cell & environment

Gram-negative bacteria

1. Plant, cell & environment

Gram-positive bacteria

1. Plant, cell & environment