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| Identification |
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Genus
Medicago
Species
sativa
Variety
Cultivar
Common names
alfalfa
Family
LEGUMINOSAE
Specimen number
S5903
Data source
Allergy p281;BtrflyCa p21;BtrflyCa p75;BtrflyCa p121;BtrflyCa p135;BtrflyCa p191;MedPl p232;Frgnt p2
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| Life cycle |
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Life form
Terrestrial
Life cycle
Various
Life span
Annual cycle
Not applicable
Stature
Grass
Growth form
Not applicable
Growth habit
Various
Overall height
Overall spread
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| Climate |
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Sunshine
Various
Water
Various
Optimal soil texture
Various
Acceptable soil pH
Various
USDA hardiness
Not classified
AHS heat zones
Not classified
Sunset climate zones
Not classified
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| Garden |
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Suitable for gardens
no
Nursery
Unknown
Compost
no
Size at acquisition
Unknown
Garden location
Unknown
Garden notes
Medicago sativa is a host plant for the orange sulphur butterfly as well as the painted lady butterfly and the silvery blue butterfly and the gray hairstreak butterfly and the Thorybes pylades (northern. Alfalfa has flowers that are mildly fruity.
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| Special qualities |
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Tolerates drought
no
Tolerates high humidity
no
Tolerates seaside conditions
no
Insect resistant
no
Disease resistant
no
Deer resistant
no
Best uses
Symbiosis
Colia eurytheme (orange sulphur butterfly);Vanessa cardui (painted lady butterfly);Glaucopsyche lygdamus (silvery blue butterfly);Strymon melinus (gray hairstreak butterfly);Thorybes pylades (northern
Attracts butterflies
yes
Attracts hummingbirds
no
Autumn foliage
no
Colorful berries
no
Desirable qualities
Other interest
Other interest color
Other interest period
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| Adverse factors |
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Common pests
Poisonous parts
Poisonous indications
Internal poison
no
Dermatologic poison
no
Livestock poison
no
Mechanical injury
no
Hay fever pollen
Light
Hay fever season
May 01 - Oct 31
Adverse qualities
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| Herbal medicine |
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Medicinal properties
estrogenic
Medicinal parts
Aerial parts
Sprouts
Has medicinal uses
yes
Do not self-administer
no
Do no use if pregnant
no
Legally restricted
no
Toxicity precautions
Medicinal notes
%s is edible. Alfalfa may have beneficial uses as an estrogenic. The aerial parts and the sprouts are used in herbal preparations. Although this plant is freely wind-pollinated, it shouldn't pose too much difficulty to the hay fever susceptible. This plant's 6 month extended hay fever season continues from May through October.
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| Traditional uses |
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Parts used
Traditional uses
Contemporary uses
Fragrance
delicious fragrance
Fragrance parts
Flowers
Fragrance intensity
Mild
Fragrance category
Fruity
Dye parts
Dye color
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| Cultivation |
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Propagule
Various
Pollination method
Planting style
Crop spacing
Row spacing
Cold frame
Planting period
Harvesting period
Frost tolerance
Heat requirement
Fertilizer
Typical
Time to harvest
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| Nutrition |
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Is edible
yes
Culinary uses
Nutritional value
Edible parts
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture
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| Horticulture |
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Horticulture notes
Medicago sativa is a wildflower and may have originated from Chile.
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| Herbarium |
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Tag needs printing
no
Collection notes
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Page 2942 of 4998
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