Integrated Pest Management
Black Medic
Medicago lupulina
Black medic (Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org)
Black medic leaves and flowers (Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)
Black medic growth habit (Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org)
Description
- low, spreading habit; looks similar to other clover-like plants
- leaves have three small oval leaflets that are finely toothed on the edge
- yellow flowers in small rounded bunches
Location
- landscape, lawn and open spaces
Life Cycle
- annual or short-lived perennial
- flowers appear April through September
IPM Recommendations
- Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
- In severe infestations, apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination in spring or an appropriate post-emergent herbicide to target weeds in fall.