burr medick

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bur medic
• bur-clover
• multi-formed medick
• smooth burr-clover
• toothed medick
• California bur-clover
• bur trefoil
• hairy medic
• rough medic
• toothed bur-clover
• toothed medic
• trefoil-clover
• California burclover
• bur clover
• bur medick
• burr medic

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Medica apiculata
• Medicago hispida subsp. apiculata
• Medicago polymorpha f. apiculata
• Medicago lappacea subsp. denticulata
• Medica denticulata
• Medicago hispida subsp. denticulata
• Medicago polycarpa var. denticulata
• Medicago polymorpha var. vulgaris
• Medicago denticulata var. ciliaris
• Medicago hispida var. aculeata
• Medicago polymorpha var. nigra
• Medicago hispida f. maculifolia
• Medicago polymorpha var. confinis
• Medicago denticulata var. apiculata
• Medicago pentacycla
• Medicago hispida f. serratifolia
• Medicago lappacea var. brachyacantha
• Medicago polycarpa var. tuberculata
• Medicago hispida subvar. brevispina
• Medicago polycarpa var. apiculata
• Medicago polyantha
• Medicago denticulata var. brevispina
• Medicago denticulata var. caspica
• Medicago polycarpa
• Medicago sardoa
• Medicago denticulata var. vulgaris
• Medicago reticulata
• Medicago apiculata var. confinis
• Medicago denticulata var. confinis
• Medicago berteroana
• Medicago hispida f. inermis
• Medicago reynieri
• Medicago hispida f. denticulata
• Medicago hispida var. denticulata
• Medicago hispida var. confinis
• Medicago polymorpha subsp. reticulata
• Medicago hispida f. apiculata
• Medicago hispida var. gracillima
• Medicago polymorpha var. brevispina
• Medicago polymorpha subsp. polycarpa
• Medicago hispida var. inermis
• Medicago polymorpha var. denticulata
• Medicago hispida subsp. lappacea
• Medicago hispida proles lappacea
• Medicago polymorpha subsp. hispida
• Medicago hispida var. nigra
• Medicago pentacycla var. longeaculeata
• Medicago hispida var. pentacycla
• Medicago polymorpha subsp. microcarpa
• Medicago denticulata subsp. lappacea
• Medicago pentacycla var. longiseta
• Medicago apiculata var. legionensis
• Medicago terebellum
• Medicago hispida var. macrocarpa
• Medicago hispida var. macracantha
• Medicago hispida subvar. pentacycla
• Medicago denticulata var. macrocarpa
• Medicago obscura var. microdon
• Medica pentacycla
• Medicago hispida var. microdon
• Medica polymorpha
• Medicago hispida subsp. oligocarpa
• Medica reticulata
• Medicago hispida var. oligocarpa
• Medicago lappacea var. paucigyrosa
• Medicago denticulata var. pentacycla
• Medicago aculeata
• Medicago hispida subsp. pentacycla
• Medicago hispida proles pentacycla
• Medicago hispida subsp. polycarpa
• Medica bimuricata
• Medicago hispida subsp. polygyra
• Medicago hispida proles polygyra
• Medicago hispida var. reynieri
• Medicago hispida proles terebellum
• Medicago hamata
• Medicago hispida var. trigyra
• Medicago hispida var. tuberculata
• Medicago distans
• Medicago denticulata var. tuberculata
• Medicago flexuosa
• Medicago denticulata var. macracantha
• Medicago nigra var. polygyra
• Medicago lappacea var. macracantha
• Medicago hispida var. apiculata
• Medicago nigra
• Medicago hispida f. sardoa
• Medicago nigra var. apiculata
• Medicago nigra var. denticulata
• Medicago polymorpha var. polygyra
• Medicago oligocarpa
• Medicago nigra subsp. microcarpa
• Medicago hispida subsp. microcarpa
• Medicago nigra var. pentacycla
• Medicago hispida var. polygyra
• Medicago hystrix
• Medicago hispida var. oligogyra
• Medicago nigra var. vulgaris
• Medicago hispida f. tuberculata
• Medicago hispida f. aculeata
• Medicago loretii
• Medicago hispida subsp. macrocarpa
• Medicago hispida f. microdon
• Medicago confinis
• Medicago hispida f. breviaculeata
• Medicago hispida f. longeaculeata
• Medicago caspia
• Medicago caspica
• Medicago denticulata var. oligocarpa
• Medicago hispida f. longispina
• Medicago denticulata subsp. polymorpha
• Medicago cyrenaea
• Medicago denticulata var. reticulata
• Medicago hispida var. brachyantha
• Medicago denticulata
• Medicago conica
• Medicago hispida var. nigra
• Medicago microdon
• Medicago hispida var. reticulata
• Medicago microcarpa
• Medicago hispida subsp. lappacea
• Medicago apiculata
• Medicago lappacea var. denticulata
• Medicago lappacea var. longispina
• Medicago lappacea var. microcarpa
• Medicago lappacea var. microdon
• Medicago lappacea var. pentacycla
• Medicago gracillima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Medicago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends through both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of Austria. Its distribution also encompasses Belgium, further establishing its presence in the central part of the continent. Finally, the plant is documented to occur within the Czechia-Slovakia region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Medicago polymorpha is characterized by its broad adaptability to varying altitudinal gradients, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 3200 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates a notable ability to colonize diverse environments, including specific habitats described as dump sites, suggesting a high tolerance for disturbed or nutrient-variable substrates. Furthermore, the plant possesses active defense mechanisms, an ecological trait that assists in its survival against herbivory and environmental stressors within its range.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dump

Genetics

The genetics of Medicago polymorpha are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation, which plays a significant role in its evolutionary adaptability and cytogenetic complexity. Specifically, the species exhibits distinct chromosomal configurations, with recorded chromosome numbers of 14 and 16. This variability in the somatic chromosome number suggests a complex genomic structure that may be influenced by processes such as polyploidy or aneuploidy, contributing to the morphological diversity observed within the species. Such genetic plasticity is a key factor in its ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions.

Chromosome number :

14, 16

Life history

The life history of Medicago polymorpha is characterized by its existence as an annual therophyte, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable periods through highly resistant seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its seasonal cycle to ensure the successful maturation and dispersal of its progeny.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Medicago polymorpha is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle. The plant exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting climber. In terms of dimensions, the plant height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.69 m, with an average height of approximately 0.2877 m. Additionally, the shoot length of the species typically spans from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 60 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.69 m

Plant height mean:

0.287666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.04 m

Shoot length max:

60 cm

Shoot length min:

10 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Medicago polymorpha is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant possesses the physiological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, supporting its metabolic processes. Its foliar morphology reflects a specific resource allocation strategy, with leaves exhibiting an obovate form and a mean leaf size of 6.6725 cm². The leaf dimensions vary significantly, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, and widths ranging from 0.4 cm to 2.3 cm. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 201.25 cm²/g, indicating its specific leaf mass distribution and its efficiency in light interception and gas exchange relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

obovate

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf size mean:

6.6725 cm²

Leaf width max:

2.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

201.25 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Medicago polymorpha is characterized by a sexual process utilizing bisexual flowers that exhibit a yellow color. The flowering period typically begins in March and extends through August, though the timing can be variable. Pollination is achieved through biotic means, specifically via an insect syndrome that involves bees. The plant does not engage in self-fertilization and lacks asexual reproduction methods. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, dehiscence-type fruit in the form of a pod. These pods vary in size, with a mean length of 0.6 cm (ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 cm) and a mean width of 0.6 cm (ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 cm). The fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are uniform in length at 3 mm, with a consistent volume of 0.52 mm³. Seed mass fluctuates significantly, with a mean of approximately 0.0364 g, a minimum of 0.00223 g, and a maximum of 0.1178 g. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds is categorized as zoochorous, relying on animals for distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.6 cm

Flower length min:

0.35 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.9 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.1178 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03644055475 g

Seed mass min:

0.00223 g

Seed volume max:

0.52 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Medicago polymorpha has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Medicago-saponin P1, Medicago-saponin P2, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicago-saponin P1

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Medicago-saponin P2

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

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

Antidiabetic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Medicago polymorpha has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include sprouts.

Sprouts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)