Medicago Sativa - Lucerne, Lusering (50 Seeds)

Medicago sativa

Common Name: Alfalfa, Lucerne, Purple Medick, Trefoil, (Afr) Lusering
Synonyms:
Plant Family: Fabaceae

Plant Type: perennial, deciduous, edible, medicinal

Growth habit: bushy
Growth Rate: fast, mature size: 1m. high x 0.75m. wide

 

Colour: leaf- grey-green, flower- violet, stem- green

Season of interest: Summer
Position: full sun, highly tolerant
Soil: dry, moist, clay, sandy, pH preference - Neutral-Alkaline, pH tolerance - Any
Hardiness: minimum -29°C, USDA zone 5 to 10
Origin: Asia

Description:
Erect, branching stems and greyish-green pinnately trifoliate leaves, appearing somewhat clover-like. Clusters of small, pea-like, bright purple to blue-violet flowers in summer. Forms a very deep root system.

Cultivation:
Most well drained moist to dry soils in sun. Will tolerate poor soils and drought.

Propagation:
Sow spring or summer, 40 gm/10 sq m, neutral to alkaline soil, good winter cover. Deep, vigorous rooting helps break up soil. Good as green manure, alone or with oats, ryegrass; halve the amount if combined with other plants.

Design and Other Uses:
Often cultivated for animal fodder. Young leaves and shoots are edible and used as a "sprouting" salad vegetable. Has various medicinal uses. Particularly rich in vitamin K. Fixes nitrogen in the soil and used as a green manure.

Other Notes:
Probably native to the Middle-East, but cultivated in Asia and Europe since ancient times. Purple or violet flowers. pronounced: med-DIK-ah-go sa-TEE-vuh