Medicago littoralis is an annual plant species of the genus Medicago. Its native range encompasses the Mediterranean Basin, from Macaronesia to the Caucasus; it has been introduced elsewhere. It is useful as a forage for livestock. As a leguminous plant, it is capable of adding nitrogen to soils, through its symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which enables nitrogen fixation. Common names include shore medick, water medick, coastal medick, and strand medick.
Description
Medicago littoralis is a prostrate or procumbent herb, occasionally with an ascending habit.
Distribution and habitat The species has been introduced to Belgium, the US states of Florida and New Jersey, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and to parts of Australia. It is naturalised in South Australia and considered "alien" but non-invasive in Western Australia.
Agricultural uses
'Seraph', is a specially bred variety of M. littoralis, selected for its resistance to powdery mildew and tolerance of sulfonylurea herbicide residues. (PDF direct download – 5 MB)
Gallery
References
External links International Legume Database & Information Services "Environmental weed risk assessment" Department of Primary Industries, Government of Western Australia "Strand medic" Pasture species and varieties. Department of Primary Industries, Government of New South Wales