Medicago marina L.

Spice Flower In the field In the field 2

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Medicago

Catalan common name: Alfalç marí.

Spanish common name: Mielga marina.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Beaches and dunes, sandy soils.

Characteristics: This Medicago lives exclusively in sea dunes. It is completely covered by a dense and long hairy coat, which gives it a characteristic and unmistakeable aspect. At times it can be confused with Lotus cytisoides, of which it bears a certain resemblance, but this latter species has straight shaped legumes, given that it is a Lotus; while the Medicago normally form their legumes in a snail shape. Another characteristic is that the down of the Medicago is more evident than Lotus cytisoides.