W121 

 (leaf 2) 



satisfactory for such purposes because of its rapid, dense growth 

 and its ability as a legume to increase the available nitrogen supply 

 in the soil. Frequently, in the case of new plantings, it is neces- 

 sary to inoculate the seed with the fixation bacteria. This plant 

 has considerable promise for range reseeding at the lower elevations 

 where mild winters are the rule. 5 It is not essential to prepare a 

 seedbed, although some minor preparation is desirable. The seed 

 should be freed from the burs and sown just before the fall rains. 

 Seed is usually obtainable as it is a common impurity in grains, and 

 also is salvaged from wool wastes. 6 



California bur-clover clearly shows its close relationship to alfalfa 

 ( M. sativa) , having much the aspect of a small and prostrate alfalfa, 

 except for its small yellow flowers and numerous spiny burs. The 

 burs and the three-foliolate, cloverlike leaves are aptly described in 

 the common name bur-clover. The specific name hispida, refers to the 

 bristly or spiny character of the pods, or burs. 



MEDICKS 



Medica'go spp. 



The medicks, consisting of about 50 species native to Europe, Asia, 

 and Africa, comprise a very important genus of the pea, or legume 

 family (Fabaceae, or Leguminosae). Alfalfa (M. sativa}, the type 

 species, often known in the Old World as lucerne, snailclover, and 

 purple medick, is one of the most valuable of all forage plants, being 

 extensively grown in the temperate climates of all continents. As 

 the generic name intimates, the original home of Medicago is re- 

 ported to have been ancient Media (now largely in what is known 

 as Azerbaijan, Irak, and northwestern Persia). It appears to have 

 been first cultivated in that part of the world and to have been intro- 

 duced into early cultivation in Greece as a result of the Medo-Persian 

 invasions. Alfalfa compares favorably with timothy as a cultivated 

 forage plant in North America, but so far reseeding experiments on 

 the ranges have generally proven unsuccessful. None of the present 

 varieties seem hardy enough to withstand the very severe climatic 

 fluctuations characteristic of western mountain ranges; however, it 

 is by no means impossible that new and more suitable strains will 

 eventually be developed. 



The eight or more species of Medicago in North America were all 

 introduced from Europe ; four of these are very important and widely 

 distributed forage plants. Alfalfa is a perennial with blue flowers; 

 the others are annuals and yellow-flowered. Spotted medick (M. 

 arabica) is similar to California bur-clover in that its pods are spiny 

 and burlike, but, as the common name indicates, the leaves have a 



B Forsling, C. L., and Dayton, W. A. ARTIFICIAL EESEEDING ON WESTERN MOUNTAIN 

 RANGE LANDS. U. S. Dept. Agr. Circ. 178, 48 pp., illus. 1931. 



McKee, R., and Bicker, P. L. NONPERENNIAL MEDICAGOS : THE AGRONOMIC VALUE AND 

 BOTANICAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE SPECIES. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bull. 267, 

 38 pp., illus. 1913. 



