Audrey, Eve and George DeLange
Family
Fabaceae
Botanical Name
Medicago sativa
Plant Common Name
Alfalfa
General Description
An important forage plant and a common introduced weed throughout most of the world's temperate zones, this lax-stemmed perennial originated in western Asia and the Caucasus. It is sometimes grown as an annual crop.
Hairy, blue-green, compound leaves with three leaflets alternate along alfalfa's upright to sprawling, calf- to waist-high stems. The leaflets have toothed tips. Small, rounded to cylindrical clusters of blue to violet pea-flowers are produced from late spring to summer. Butterflies and bees visit the flowers, which are followed by coiled green seedpods that ripen to brown. Dozens of alfalfa varieties are cultivated in the United States; all are propagated from seed.
Sow this sun-loving perennial in well-drained, moderately fertile, circumneutral soil in spring or fall. Pre-soak seeds for optimum germination. This nutrient-rich, nitrogen-fixing forage plant is also used for fertilizer (in the form of alfalfa pellets), for salad sprouts, and as a soil-enriching "green manure."
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Purple, Violet
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Blue Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Herb / Vegetable
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
