Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Other common names
nonesuch
hop medic
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 2 feet long
Riparian
No
Low trailing annual with prostrate stems branching from the base. Bright yellow flowers are pea-like and tightly clustered together
on short spikes. A native of Eurasia that is a nuisance in lawns and gardens.
Fruit pods kidney-shaped, hairy, not spined. This differentiates it from the spiny pods of M. hispida. The central leaflet has
a longer stalk than the side leaflets; there is a small projecting tip at the leaflet apex and the margins are toothed.
Habitat
Roadsides, fields, lawns and waste areas.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
The flowers are bright yellow and pea-like to 1/8 inch long and are clustered together on short, dense roundish spikes to 3/4 inch
long. They are followed by tiny, 1-seeded, kidney-shaped pods, to 1/8 inch long.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are dark green and divided into 3 oval leaflets which are finely toothed and have prominent veins. There is a small, projecting tip at the leaflet apex. The central leaflet is on a short stalk. The leaves are to 1 inch long including the stalk.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The pods are hairy and contain one seed.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Black