Black Medic or Small Hop-clover?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Vbort44, Jun 25, 2007.

  1. Vbort44

    Vbort44 Active Member

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    My ID book states that small hop-clover "is similar to black medic but has straight, not coiled, pods". Could anyone help me out with this one? I don't really follow where the pods are...
     

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  2. TonyR

    TonyR Active Member

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    Hop Clover is Trifolium campestre, which looks quite like this except that the fruiting head has balloon-like petals curling over the tiny pods, and I can't see any like that in your pics. It could be Yellow Suckling Clover, T. dubium.
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    I'd agree with Trifolium dubium. The pods are in clusters, the pale brown items in the photos - each flower (of which about 20-30 per flowerhead) develops into a single small pod. In Medicago lupulina (Black Medick) the pods are curled, and (as per the English name) black.
     

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