Lucerne
Lucerne flowerhead
Close-up of flowers
Seed pods
Trefoil leaves
Purple flowerhead
White-lilac flowerhead
Medicago sativa subsp. Sativa
Fabaceae
Alfalfa
End of May to October
It is found throughout the country but is absent from parts of
the North and the far Southwest..
For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway
- Lucerne
It was grown as a green manure crop from the 1600s to the
1950s and has been a naturalised escape since the early 1800s.
It is found in rough grassland, waste land, the edges of fields
and alongside tracks and paths.
It is planted by cycle tracks and footpaths in wildflower seed
mixtures.
Lucerne is a persistent, nitrogen-fixing, perennial herb growing
up to 90cm.
The flowers (up to 12mm across) are in colourful flowerheads
ranging from purple to lilac-white.
The seed pods are like twisted wheels in shape.
Leaves are trefoil.
Lucerne is deep-rooted, which contributes to its persistence.
Its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen is the main reason for its
use as a green manure crop.
Previous page: Long-stalked Crane's-bill
Next page: Lucombe Oak
Lucerne flowerhead
Close-up of flowers
Seed pods
Trefoil leaves
Purple flowerhead
White-lilac flowerhead
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