Toothed Bur-Clover, Burclover

Medicago polymorpha

Physical Characteristics

Medicago polymorpha is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Central and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked as a potherb[2, 179, 183]. Only the young leaves are eaten raw[177]. Plants can be harvested on a cut and come again basis, the first harvest can be made about one month after sowing, plants can then be harvested another 3 - 4 times at intervals of a few weeks[206]. The young leaves contain about 6% protein, 0.14% fat, 9.5% carbohydrate, 1.4% ash. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and E[179]. Flowers - raw or cooked[105, 183]. Seed - cooked[257]. The seed can be parched, ground into a powder and mixed with water to make a mush[257].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known