Medicago

Medick

Medicago, commonly known as medic, is a versatile genus of legumes valued for their diverse medicinal and nutritional properties. Renowned in traditional practices, various species offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and restorative benefits. These resilient plants play a vital role in supporting holistic wellness through their unique bioactive compounds.

  • Scientific name: Medicago
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and specifically within the genus Medicago.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Medicago WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Medicago, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic region. In Simplified Chinese, it is identified as 苜蓿属 (zh-hans) or 苜蓿属 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese contexts, it is known as 苜蓿 (zh-hant). Furthermore, in Hong Kong (zh-hk) and Singapore (zh-sg), the common name used is 苜蓿.
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 苜蓿属 Wikidata
zh-hant 苜蓿 Wikidata
zh-hk 苜蓿 Wikidata
zh-cn 苜蓿属 Wikidata
zh-sg 苜蓿 Wikidata
zh-tw 苜蓿屬 Wikidata
pl lucerna Wikidata
be Люцэрна Wikidata
he אספסת Wikidata
fr luzerne Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern focused primarily within the Northern European region. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence also extends to the northern territories of Finland and the rugged landscapes of Iceland. Furthermore, the species is documented across the islands of Føroyaar. Finally, the geographical range of Medicago includes the various regions of Great Britain.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Føroyar WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Iceland WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Purslane, is a succulent herb where various components may be utilized, though the tender sprouts are often noted for their high nutritional and medicinal potential. These young sprouts are rich in essential vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a potent addition to traditional wellness practices. While the entire plant is often consumed, the early stage sprouts offer a concentrated source of bioactive compounds that support health.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
sprouts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Medicago has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanin.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
anthocyanin 1 ★☆☆☆☆