Barrel medic
Medicago truncatula
Synonyms: Medicago tribuloides var. cosyrensis, Medicago truncatula f. tricycla, Medicago glabella, Medicago truncatula var. tricycla, Medicago truncatula f. uncinata, Medicago truncatula subsp. longeaculeata, Medicago truncatula var. longeaculeata, Medicago truncatula var. laxicycla, Medicago uncinata, Medica tribuloides, Medicago truncatula var. tribuloides, Medicago truncatula f. laxicycla, Medicago hornemanniana, Medicago truncatula var. heteracantha, Medicago tribuloides var. rectiuscula, Medicago crassispina, Medicago polymorpha var. tribuloides, Medicago tribuloides var. subinermis, Medicago tribuloides subsp. truncatula, Medicago tribuloides var. muricata, Medicago tribuloides var. loneiaculeata, Medicago truncatula var. rugosissima, Medicago truncatula var. narbonensis, Medicago truncatula var. laciniata, Medicago tribuloides var. breviaculeata, Medicago truncatula var. cosyrensis, Medicago truncatula var. breviaculeata, Medicago tribuloides var. uncinata, Medicago truncatula f. sinistrorsa, Medicago tribuloides var. tentaculata, Medicago truncatula f. dextrorsa, Medicago tribuloides, Medicago tribuloides var. narbonensis, Medicago truncatula var. rectiuscula, Medicago tentaculata, Medicago tribuloides var. truncatula, Medicago truncatula var. uncinata, Medicago tribuloides f. longepedunculata, Medicago truncatula var. tentaculata
Gallery
Botanical Description
Medicago truncatula is a slender annual herb of the Fabaceae family with prostrate to ascending much-branched stems 15-50 cm long arising from a slim taproot; the stems are slightly ribbed, glabrous to sparsely pubescent and somewhat zigzag in habit. The leaves are alternate, trifoliolate, on petioles 1-3 cm long subtended by toothed stipules 4-8 mm long; leaflets are obovate to obcordate, 5-15 mm long, with a finely toothed apex and a smooth wedge-shaped base, the central leaflet usually slightly larger and longer-stalked than the lateral two. The inflorescence is a short axillary raceme bearing 1-5 small yellow papilionaceous flowers each 3-5 mm long, with a typical pea-flower structure of standard, two wings and a keel petal; the calyx is tubular with five short triangular teeth. The diagnostic fruit is a tightly coiled cylindrical pod 4-7 mm in diameter forming 4-7 tightly appressed spiral turns, with two longitudinal rows of straight or slightly curved short rigid spines 1-2 mm long along the dorsal edge of each turn, ripening from green to brown and containing 8-20 small yellowish kidney-shaped seeds. Native to the Mediterranean basin, naturalised and cultivated worldwide as a winter pasture and green-manure legume, and a principal model organism for legume biology.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.