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Black medick

Medicago lupulina
Edible value3Medicinal value1Other uses7
annual0.4×1.5 mzone 5–7light shade

Will it grow where I live?

Black medick is an annual and grows outdoors across Central Europe – one season from spring sowing to autumn harvest.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Fabaceae
Habit
annual
Height
0.4 m
Spread
1.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
1 year
First yield
after 1 year
Hardiness
zone 5–7
Shade tolerance
light shade
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
6 – 8
evergreen

Uses

Edible3 of 10
Medicinal1 of 10
Other uses7 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Black medick: how big does it get?

Black medick (Medicago lupulina) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 0.4 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is medium.

Black medick: what site does it need?

Black medick tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 6 and 8.

Black medick: is it hardy?

Black medick is listed as hardy in zone 5–7 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Black medick: will it grow in Central Europe?

Black medick is an annual and grows outdoors across Central Europe – one season from spring sowing to autumn harvest.

Black medick: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Black medick. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Black medick: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 1/10, Other uses 7/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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All data without warranty. Site data and texts from the Permaplans database.

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