Other common names:Trefoil, Black Clover, None-Such or Hop Medic
Scientific name: Medicago lupulina
Black Medic is a summer annual weed that can also behave as a perennial weed in certain climates and soil conditions. Black Medic is found throughout much of the United States and is typically more active in soils with low nitrogen levels. Black Medic often colonizes dry, infertile spots where little else will grow.
Black Medic is an annual weed that features a taproot, that does not creep by rooting at the nodes. Its stems are hairy, growing upright and somewhat square, and its elliptical leaves grow alternate with pinnately trifoliolate ends. Lower leaves on Black Medic plants have longer petioles than the upper leaves. Black Medic weed also features small, yellow flowers that are clustered on the end of the stalk. Plants stay close to the ground until they are ready to bloom. By the time flowers appear, the stems may be 6 to 26 inches long.
Providing lawn grass with adequate nitrogen and phosphorous discourages this weed. It is also important to pull young weeds during spring and early summer
