Medicago arborea L.

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Medicago

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): East Mediterranean

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte. Semicaducifolious.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Cultivated species. Cultivated specie. Gardens.

Characteristics: A very well branched bush that can reach over two meters in height, the leaves are trifoliolate as all Medicago, and the young branches are covered by a whitish pilosity. Flowers are golden yellow, and can be found in flower from autumn until spring. Can be found planted as a hedge in many estates, as it was formerly used as forage. It can also appear semi-spontaneously in slightly ruderal areas. Resembles Medicago citrina, although this latter species has lemon coloured flowers and larger folioles, and can only be found growing naturally in small islets of the Archipelago of Cabrera and the Pitiusas.