Species Detail Forb

Flowers		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Medicago sativa - alfalfa Other Common Names: Lucerne Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Fabaceae
Flowers


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Leaf Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual or perennial
General Desc: A deep rooted plant with stems that are generally erect and multi-branched. It has escaped cultivation. Has normal pea family characteristic of improving soil by nitrogen fixation.
Identification notes: Corolla light to dark purple, rarely white.
Height: Up to 3-1/2 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Lives in all life zones at all elevations in Yavapai County.
Plant Communities: Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 7500 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Light to dark purple Shape: Irregular in round clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Apr - Oct
Description: Each flower has 1 large upper petal and 3 smaller petals.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Compound Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Toothed Leaf Attachment: Opposite Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Tri-foliate leaves are clover like and have sharp toothed margins near the tip.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Light green
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Downey green, coiled seed pod turns dark brown with age.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer