Medicago-falcata_5

Description:

Medicago falcata L., syn.: Medicago sativa L. ssp. falcata (L.) Dll., Medicago romanica Prodan, Medicago procumbens BesserFamily: FabaceaeEN: Yellow Medic, Sickle Medic, Yelllow Alfalfa, DE: Sichelluzerne, Sichelklee, Gelbe LuzerneSlo.: srpasta meteljkaDat.: June 14. 2008 Lat.: 45.81236 Long.: 13.61639Code: Bot_0271/2008_DSC9540Habitat: grassland overgrown with bushes and scattered trees; semi-ruderal place; locally flat terrain; calcareous, skeletal ground; dry and warm place, full sun; elevation 70 m (230 feet); average precipitations 1.500-1.600 mm/year, average temperature 12-13 deg C, Sub-Mediterranean phytogeographical region. Substratum: soil.Place: Next to the paved road from Italy-Slovenia border crossing Klarii to village Brestovica pri Komnu, Brestoviki dol, Primorska, Slovenia EC. Comment: Medicago falcata is native in Mediterranean basin, however, it is spread also outside it. It can be found in Asia as well as in North America. It grows on rather dry grassland, fields, and waste areas. The plant thrives in symbiosis with certain fungi, which are capable to collect nitrogen. Hence, it is sometimes planted together with its close relative purple medic (Medicago sativa s. lat.). Both plants improve forage and nitrogen content of the agricultural land. Both frequently form hybrids, which makes accurate identification many times very difficult if not impossible. The main distinguishing character between both are their fruits. Medicago sativa s. lat. has (usually) strongly spirally coiled fruits, while those of Medicago falcata are (usually) merely sickle-shaped.Ref.:(1) D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat, Flora Alpina, Vol. 1., Haupt (2004), p 908.(2) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora fr sterreich, Liechtenstein und Sdtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 562.(3) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije (Flora of Slovenia - Key) (in Slovenian), Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 299. (4) www.gbif.org/species/2965354?occurrenceDatasetOffset=40 (accessen Feb. 25. 2019)