Medicago minima (L.) L.

Spice In the field

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Medicago

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic calicole fields. Therophytics communities.

Characteristics: This small Medicago is an annual, and can be distinguished from others of the same habitat by its stipules which are entire instead of dentate, as well, the entire palnt is covered by a pilosity that gives it a greyish colour. The fruits are also characteristic, small, sphere shaped, and covered with many long, fine spiny appendages.