Foothills, montane. Disturbed areas. Spring, summer.
Lower Calico Trail, June 12, 2004.

This is a very common native of Europe and Asia, now well-established in the United States where it is often used for roadside reseeding.  It is quite common to find Black Medic in one's flower beds, along trails, and in abandoned lots.  It creeps along the ground and roots in deeply.

"Media" is the country that Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) came from. "Lupulina" is Latin for "little hop plant".  Both the genus and species were named by Linnaeus in 1753.

Foothills, montane. Disturbed areas. Spring, summer.
Lower Calico Trail, June 12, 2004.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Medicago lupulina