''Medicago'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...

s, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the

legume A legume () is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seed of such a plant. When used as a dry grain, the seed is also called a pulse. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consumption, for livestock fo ...

family ( Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is alfalfa (''M. sativa''), an important forage crop, and the genus name is based on the Latin name for that plant, , from el, μηδική (πόα) Median (grass). Most members of the genus are low, creeping herbs, resembling

clover Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

, but with burs (hence the common name). However, alfalfa grows to a height of 1 meter, and tree medick (''M. arborea'') is a shrub. Members of the genus are known to produce bioactive compounds such as

medicarpin Medicarpin is a pterocarpan, a derivative of isoflavonoids. Natural occurrences Medicarpin is found in ''Medicago truncatula'' and '' Swartzia madagascariensis''. It can also be found in ''Maackia amurensis'' cell cultures. The root nodule for ...

flavonoid Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids; from the Latin word ''flavus'', meaning yellow, their color in nature) are a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants, and thus commonly consumed in the diets of humans. Chemically, flavonoids ...

) and medicagenic acid (a

triterpenoid saponin Saponins (Latin "sapon", soap + "-in", one of), also selectively referred to as triterpene glycosides, are bitter-tasting usually toxic plant-derived organic chemicals that have a foamy quality when agitated in water. They are widely distributed ...

Chromosome A chromosome is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells the most important of these proteins ar ...

numbers in ''Medicago'' range from 2''n'' = 14 to 48. The species ''

Medicago truncatula ''Medicago truncatula'', the barrelclover, strong-spined medick, barrel medic, or barrel medick, is a small annual legume native to the Mediterranean region that is used in genomic research. It is a low-growing, clover-like plant tall with trifol ...

'' is a model legume due to its relatively small stature, small genome (450–500 Mbp), short generation time (about 3 months), and ability to reproduce both by

outcrossing Out-crossing or out-breeding is the technique of crossing between different breeds. This is the practice of introducing distantly related genetic material into a breeding line, thereby increasing genetic diversity. Outcrossing can be a useful ...

and

selfing Autogamy, or self-fertilization, refers to the fusion of two gametes that come from one individual. Autogamy is predominantly observed in the form of self-pollination, a reproductive mechanism employed by many flowering plants. However, species ...

. Comprehensive descriptions of the genus are Lesinš and Lesinš 1979 and Small and Jomphe 1989. Major collections are SARDI (Australia), USDA-GRIN (United States), ICARDA ( Syria), and INRA (France).

Evolution

''Medicago'' diverged from ''

Glycine Glycine (symbol Gly or G; ) is an amino acid that has a single hydrogen atom as its side chain. It is the simplest stable amino acid ( carbamic acid is unstable), with the chemical formula NH2‐ CH2‐ COOH. Glycine is one of the proteinog ...

'' (soybean) about 53–55 million years ago (in the early

Eocene The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the modern Cenozoic Era. The name ''Eocene'' comes from the Ancient Greek (''ēṓs'', " ...

), from ''

Lotus Lotus may refer to: Plants *Lotus (plant), various botanical taxa commonly known as lotus, particularly: ** ''Lotus'' (genus), a genus of terrestrial plants in the family Fabaceae **Lotus flower, a symbolically important aquatic Asian plant also ...

'' (deervetch) 49–51 million years ago (also in the Eocene), and from '' Trigonella'' 10–22 million years ago (in the

Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recent" ...

Ecological interactions with other organisms

Symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia

Béna ''et al.'' (2005) constructed a molecular phylogeny of 23 ''

Sinorhizobium ''Ensifer'' (often referred to in literature by its synonym ''Sinorhizobium'') is a genus of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia), three of which (''Ensifer meliloti'', ''Ensifer medicae'' and '' Ensifer fredii'') have been sequenced. Etymology T ...

'' strains and tested the symbiotic ability of six strains with 35 ''Medicago'' species. Comparison of these phylogenies indicates many transitions in the compatibility of the association over evolutionary time. Furthermore, they propose that the geographical distribution of strains limits the distribution of particular ''Medicago'' species.

Agricultural uses

Other than alfalfa, several of the creeping members of the family (such as '' Medicago lupulina'' and ''

'') have been used as forage crops.

Insect herbivores

''Medicago'' species are used as food plants by the

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. Th ...

e of some Lepidoptera species including the

common swift The common swift (''Apus apus'') is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between t ...

flame A flame (from Latin '' flamma'') is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic chemical reaction taking place in a thin zone. When flames are hot enough to have ionized gaseous components of sufficient density the ...

latticed heath The latticed heath (''Chiasmia clathrata'') is a moth of the family Geometridae, belonging to the subfamily Ennominae, placed in the tribe Macariini. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. Taxon ...

, lime-speck pug,

nutmeg Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus '' Myristica''. '' Myristica fragrans'' (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, ...

setaceous Hebrew character The setaceous Hebrew character (''Xestia c-nigrum'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is found in the Palearctic realm. It is a common specie ...

, and

turnip The turnip or white turnip (''Brassica rapa'' subsp. ''rapa'') is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, fleshy taproot. The word ''turnip'' is a compound (linguistics), compound of ''turn'' as in turned/r ...

moths and case-bearers of the genus ''

Coleophora ''Coleophora'' is a very large genus of moths of the family Coleophoridae. It contains some 1,350 described species. The genus is represented on all continents, but the majority are found in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. Many authors h ...

'', including ''C. frischella'' (recorded on ''M. sativa'') and ''C. fuscociliella'' (feeds exclusively on ''Medicago'' spp.).

Species

This list is compiled from:

Section Buceras

Subsection Deflexae

* ''

Medicago retrorsa ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss.) E. Small

Subsection Erectae

* ''

Medicago arenicola ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Huber-Mor.) E. Small * ''

Medicago astroites ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Fisch. & Mey.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago carica ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' (Huber-Mor.) E. Small * ''

Medicago crassipes ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss.) E. Small * ''

Medicago fischeriana ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Ser.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago halophila ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss.) E. Small * ''

Medicago heldreichii ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss.) E. Small * ''

Medicago medicaginoides ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Retz.) E. Small * ''

Medicago monantha ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (C. A. Meyer) Trautv. * ''

Medicago orthoceras ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Kar. & Kir.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago pamphylica ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Huber-Mor. & Sirjaev) E. Small * '' Medicago persica'' (Boiss.) E. Small * ''

Medicago phrygia ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss. & Bal.) E. Small * ''

Medicago polyceratia ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (L.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago rigida ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss. & Bal.) E. Small

Subsection Isthmocarpae

* ''

Medicago rhytidiocarpa ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss. & Bal.) E. Small * ''

Medicago isthmocarpa ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss. & Bal.) E. Small

Subsection Reflexae

* ''

Medicago monspeliaca ''Medicago monspeliaca'', the hairy medick, is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,

'' (L.) Trautv.

Section Carstiensae

* ''

Medicago carstiensis ''Medicago carstiensis'' is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly ...

'' Wulf.

Section Dendrotelis

* ''

Medicago arborea ''Medicago arborea'' is a flowering plant species in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. Common names include moon trefoil, shrub medick, alfalfa arborea, and tree medick. It is found throughout Europe and especially in the Mediterranean basin, pri ...

'' L. * ''

Medicago citrina ''Medicago arborea'' is a flowering plant species in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. Common names include moon trefoil, shrub medick, alfalfa arborea, and tree medick. It is found throughout Europe and especially in the Mediterranean basin, pri ...

'' (Font Quer) Greuter * ''

Medicago strasseri ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Greuter, Matthas & Risse

Section Geocarpa

* ''

Medicago hypogaea ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' E. Small

Section Heynianae

* ''

Medicago heyniana ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Greuter

Section Hymenocarpos

* ''

Medicago radiata ''Medicago radiata'', the ray-podded medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the eastern Mediterranean and in Asia. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is ca ...

'' L.

Section Lunatae

* ''

Medicago biflora ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Griseb.) E. Small * ''

Medicago brachycarpa ''Medicago brachycarpa'' is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Middle East. It forms a symbiotic Symbiosis (from Greek , , "living together", from , , "together", and , bíōsis, "living") is any type of a ...

'' M. Bieb. * ''

Medicago huberi ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' E. Small * ''

Medicago rostrata ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss. & Bal.) E. Small

Section Lupularia

* '' Medicago lupulina'' L. * ''

Medicago secundiflora ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Durieu

Section Medicago

* ''

Medicago cancellata ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' M. Bieb. * ''

Medicago daghestanica ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Rupr. * '' Medicago hybrida'' (Pourr.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago marina ''Medicago marina'' is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is native to the Mediterranean basin but is found worldwide. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is capable of nitrogen fixa ...

'' L. * ''

Medicago papillosa ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Boiss. ** ''M. p. macrocarpa'' ** ''M. p. papillosa'' * ''

Medicago pironae ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Vis. * ''

Medicago prostrata ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Jacq. ** ''M. p. prostrata'' ** ''M. p. pseudorupestris'' * ''

Medicago rhodopea ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Velen. * ''

Medicago rupestris ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' M. Bieb * ''

Medicago sativa Alfalfa () (''Medicago sativa''), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as ...

'' L. (alfalfa) ** ''M. s. caerulea'' ** ''M. s. falcata ''('' Medicago falcata'') *** ''M. s. f.'' var. ''falcata'' *** ''M. s. f. ''var. ''viscosa'' ** ''M. s. glomerata'' ** ''M. s. sativa'' * ''

Medicago saxatilis ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' M. Bieb * ''

Medicago suffruticosa ''Medicago suffruticosa'' is a species of plant from the family Fabaceae in the genus ''Medicago.'' Description Small prostrated plant with light green leaves and yellow flowers. The seedpods grow in a spiral shape. Range It is found in the ...

'' Ramond ex DC. **''M. s. leiocarpa'' **''M. s. suffruticosa''

Section Orbiculares

* ''

Medicago orbicularis ''Medicago orbicularis'' is a plant species found throughout the Mediterranean basin and along the European Black Sea coast. It forms a symbiosis, symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable of nitrogen f ...

'' (L.) Bart.

Section Platycarpae

* ''

Medicago archiducis-nicolai ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' Sirjaev * ''

Medicago cretacea ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' M. Bieb. * ''

Medicago edgeworthii ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Sirjaev * '' Medicago ovalis'' (Boiss.) Sirjaev * ''

Medicago playtcarpa ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (L.) Trautv. * ''

Medicago plicata ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (Boiss.) Sirjaev * ''

Medicago popovii ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (E. Kor.) Sirjaev * '' Medicago ruthenica'' (L.) Ledebour

Subsection Rotatae

* ''

Medicago blancheana ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Medicago noeana ''Medicago noeana'' is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae family. It can be found throughout the Middle East. It forms a symbiosis, symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is capable of nitrogen fixat ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Medicago rugosa ''Medicago rugosa'', the wrinkled medick, is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae. They have a self-supporting growth form and compound, broad leaves. Individuals can grow to 0.2 m. Sources References {{Taxonbar, from=Q15434695 ...

'' Desr. * ''

Medicago rotata ''Medicago rotata'' is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae family. It is found throughout the eastern Mediterranean from Turkey to Israel. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable o ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Medicago scutellata ''Medicago scutellata'' is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is capable of nitrogen fixation Nitrog ...

'' (L.) Miller * ''

Medicago shepardii ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Post

Section Spirocarpos

Subsection Intertextae

* ''

Medicago ciliaris ''Medicago ciliaris'', the ciliate medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable of nitrogen ...

'' (L.) Krocker * ''

Medicago granadensis ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Willd. * ''

Medicago intertexta ''Medicago intertexta'', the hedgehog medick, Calvary clover, or Calvary medick, is a flowering plant of the family ''Fabaceae''. It is found primarily in the western Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sin ...

'' (L.) Miller * ''

Medicago muricoleptis ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' Tin.

Subsection Leptospireae

* '' Medicago arabica'' (L.) Huds. * ''

Medicago coronata ''Medicago coronata'', the crown medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is capable of nitrogen ...

'' (L.) Bart. * ''

Medicago disciformis ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' DC. * ''

Medicago laciniata ''Medicago laciniata'' is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found primarily in the southern Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' Sinorhizobium meliloti'', which is capable of nitrogen fixatio ...

'' (L.) Miller * ''

Medicago lanigera ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Winkl. & Fedtsch. * ''

Medicago laxispira ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' Heyn * '' Medicago minima'' (L.) Bart. * '' Medicago polymorpha'' L. * ''

Medicago praecox ''Medicago praecox'', the Mediterranean medick or early medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the northern Mediterranean. It forms a symbiotic Symbiosis (from Greek , , "living together", from , , "toge ...

'' DC. * ''

Medicago sauvagei ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Nègre * ''

Medicago tenoreana ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus i ...

'' Ser.

Subsection Pachyspireae

* ''

Medicago constricta ''Medicago constricta'' is an annual, non-climbing species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found in the Mediterranean basin from Greece to Israel. ''M. constricta'' is found primarily in sandy clay or dry soils. It forms a symbiotic relationship ...

'' Durieu * ''

Medicago doliata ''Medicago doliata'' is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,Medicago italica ''Medicago italica'' is a species of in the family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,Medicago lesinsii ''Medicago murex'', the spiny medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable of nitrogen fixat ...

'' E. Small * '' Medicago littoralis'' Rohde ex Lois. * ''

Medicago murex ''Medicago murex'', the spiny medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable of nitrogen fixat ...

'' Willd. * ''

Medicago rigidula ''Medicago rigidula'', the Tifton burclover, is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae. They have a self-supporting growth form and compound, broad leaves. Individuals can grow to 0.50m tall. It is a secondary wild relative of the cultiv ...

'' (L.) All. * '' Medicago rigiduloides'' E. Small * ''Medicago sinskiae'' Uljanova * ''

Medicago soleirolii ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' Duby * ''

Medicago sphaerocarpos ''Medicago murex'', the spiny medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago''. It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiosis, symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable of nit ...

'' Bertol. * ''

Medicago syriaca ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' E. Small * ''

'' Gaertn. * ''

Medicago turbinata ''Medicago turbinata'', the Southern medick, is a plant species of the genus ''Medicago'' It is found throughout the Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiosis, symbiotic relationship with the bacterium ''Sinorhizobium medicae'', which is capable ...

'' (L.) All.

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status

The status of the following species is unresolved: * ''Medicago agropyretorum'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago alatavica'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago caucasica'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago cyrenaea'' Maire & Weiller * ''Medicago difalcata'' Sinskaya * ''Medicago grossheimii'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago gunibica'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago hemicoerulea'' Sinskaya * ''Medicago karatschaica'' (A. Heller) A. Heller * ''Medicago komarovii'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago meyeri'' Gruner * ''Medicago polychroa'' Grossh. * ''Medicago schischkinii'' Sumnev. * ''Medicago talyschensis'' Latsch. * ''Medicago transoxana'' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago tunetana'' (Murb.) A.W. Hill * ''Medicago vardanis' Vassilcz. * ''Medicago virescens'' Grossh. Recent molecular phylogenic analyses of ''Medicago'' indicate that the sections and subsections defined by Small & Jomphe, as outlined above, are generally

polyphyletic A polyphyletic group is an assemblage of organisms or other evolving elements that is of mixed evolutionary origin. The term is often applied to groups that share similar features known as homoplasies, which are explained as a result of conver ...

. However, with minor revisions sections and subsections could be rendered

monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic ...

Notes

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q159549 Plant models Fabaceae genera