Black Medic

Common name: Black Medic

Botanical name: Medicago lupilina

Family: Fabaceae

Life cycle: Annual, Perennial

Habitat: Black medic thrives on nutrient deficient, dry soils. It is a low growing plants which makes it troublesome on some lawns.

Leaf:  The clover like leaves are made up of 3 leaflets very similar to those of lesser trefoil. For this reason the weeds are difficult to tell apart.

Flowers: The yellow flowers are again, very similar to lesser trefoil or yellow suckling clover. However the seed pods on black medic turn black (hence the name) later in the season, which is actually the best way to tell the two weeds apart. The flowering period is from May to September.

Removal & Control: Hand weeding can prove effective, especially as this weed can have an annual life cycle. Raking the weed into an upright position prior to mowing can help weaken the plant.

A selective weed killer can be used to control black medic, however it may prove pretty stubborn and a single treatment may not be enough for complete control.