Scientific Nomenclature
Medicago ciliaris (L.) All., 1785
Basionym: Trigonella ciliaris L., 1753
Nomenclature Code: ICN (International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants)
Common Names
English: Ciliate medick, Hairy-fruited medick
French: Luzerne ciliée
Arabic: الفصة المهدبة (Fissa muhadhaba)
German: Bewimperter Schneckenklee
Spanish: Alfalfa ciliada
Italian: Erba medica cigliataado
Botanical Synonyms:
-Trigonella ciliaris L.
– Medicago ciliata Willd.
– Medica ciliaris (L.) Scop.
– Medicago intertexta subsp. ciliaris (L.) Ponert
Botanical Description
Morphological characterization of Medicago ciliaris displaying distinctive ciliate pods with long marginal hairs, small yellow flowers, and prostrate growth habit.
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and trifoliate, with obovate to obcordate leaflets measuring 5-15 mm long and 4-12 mm wide. Leaflets are finely denticulate in the upper half, pubescent on both surfaces, occasionally bearing a small purple spot at the center. Stipules are lanceolate, laciniate, and persistent.
Flowers
Flowers are small, yellow, papilionaceous, measuring 3-5 mm in length, and arranged in compact axillary inflorescences of 1-5 florets. Peduncles are very short, much shorter than the subtending leaf. The standard petal is approximately equal to the wings and keel.
Pod Architecture
Fruits are highly distinctive, consisting of globose pods, 3-5 mm in diameter, forming 3-6 tight coils. The diagnostic feature is the presence of long, white, ciliate hairs (1-3 mm long) densely covering the pod surface and extending from the coil margins, giving the pod a woolly appearance. Pods contain 5-10 reniform seeds per coil.
