Medicago sativa L.

Erect or ascending, perennial herb; stems sparsely to moderately hairy in upper part, ± glabrous below. Lvs sparsely to densely hairy on petiole and undersurface of leaflets, ± glabrous above; petioles c. 4–20–(35) mm long; leaflets narrowly elliptic to obovate, usually obtuse, sometimes acute or emarginate, mucronate, obtuse to cuneate at base, irregularly serrate near apex, uniform in colour, c. 6–25–(35) mm long; terminal petiolule 2–6 mm long; lateral petiolules up to 1 mm long; stipules ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, entire or irregularly serrate. Infl. with 10-numerous fls; peduncles moderately hairy, > petioles; pedicel < ± =, or > calyx tube. Calyx ± glabrous or hairy; calyx teeth triangular, acuminate, < ± =, or > tube. Corolla usually purple or bluish, rarely pale blue or almost white, 7–12 mm long. Pod moderately hairy or ± glabrous, coiled in 11/2–3 turns with a hole through the centre, reticulately veined but otherwise smooth, 4–6 mm diam., 10–20-seeded; seeds yellow to brown, c. 3 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–May.