Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > Is this plant a weed? > Broadleaf Weeds > Creeping > Black Medic
Black Medic
Medicago lupulina L.
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Found in:
- Lawns (mostly) and landscape beds
Characteristics:
- Low growing annual that spreads up to 24” across
- Round to oval trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets) with tiny hairs, are alternate along stem
- Stems are covered with tiny hairs and creep along the ground, but do not root
- Flowers are small, yellow, globe-shaped clusters; similar to clover except smaller
- Taprooted along with shallow, branched roots; difficult to pull by hand
Significance:
- Often an indicator plant for low soil nitrogen levels in lawns
