[Alfalfa, Bur Clovers and Medics: The Genus Medicago in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Black Medic, Hop Clover
Medicago lupulina
Synonyms: Medicago lupulina var. cupaniana, Medicago lupulina var. glandulosa
The photo above shows a close-up of the upper stem leaves and flower head of black medic. Photographed at the eastern entrance to Trombetta Canyon, northeastern Washington.........June 24, 2006.
Habitat:
Alfalfa may be found as an escaped plant in lawns and along
roadsides or railroads and in disturbed places.
Range:
Introduced from Europe as an agricultural plant
for forage, black medic may be found across much of the western United States.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found
between the elevations of 100' from east of Beacon Rock eastward to near the mouth of the Deschutes River.
The photo above shows a close-up of the pods of black medic. Photographed at the northeastern entrance to Trombetta Canyon in northeastern Washington........June 28, 2006.
Paul Slichter