Medicago polymorpha, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 156

31. M. polymorpha L. , Sp. Pl. 779 (1753)

(A/. denticulata Willd. , M. hispida Gaertner , M. lappacea Desr. , M. nigra (L.) Krocker M.polycarpa Willd. ).

Glabrous or pubescent annual up to 40 cm. Leaflets obovate to obcordate, cuneate, dentate near the apex; stipules lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, laciniate. Racemes 1- to 5(-8)-flowered. Corolla 3-4-5 mm. Legume 4-8(-10) mm in diameter, in a lax spiral of 14-6 turns, usually glabrous and spiny; transverse veins strong, anastomosing freely, at least near the submarginal vein; submarginal vein conspicuous, separated from the marginal vein by a deep groove, the margin consequently with 3 keels separated by 2 grooves; spines absent or up to more than the diameter of the legume in length, each arising from both the submarginal and marginal veins and therefore deeply sulcate. 2 /2 = 1 4. S. Europe, extending northwards to Britain and eastwards to Krym; a frequent casual further north. Al Au Az BI Br Bu Co Cr Ga Ge Gr Hs It Ju Lu Rm Rs (K) Sa Si?Tu [Be Cz He Ho Hu].