Alfalfa.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Legume

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

3 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 9

Floraison

Late spring to early autumn

Entretien

Ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot in this moisture loving plant. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. Keep the area free of weeds to help your crop thrive.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Engrais

Apply a phosphorus rich fertilizer if the soil tests low.

Taille

Harvest regularly to encourage new growth and prevent flowering.

Rempotage

Usually grown in fields, but if in containers, refresh soil annually.

Sol

Well drained loam

pH du sol

6.5 to 7.5

Température

-30 à 40°C

Humidité

30 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Élevée

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Faible

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally considered safe, though excessive consumption of seeds or sprouts can be problematic for some individuals.

Enfants

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the seeds are small and pose a minor choking hazard.

Allergènes de contact

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in susceptible people during the peak bloom period.

Comestibilité

Alfalfa sprouts should be consumed with caution due to potential bacterial contamination risks.

Comment l'identifier

• Compound leaves with three leaflets
• Small clusters of purple flowers
• Serrated edges on upper leaflets
• Deep taproot system

Hauteur

0,3 à 1m

Envergure

0,3 à 0,6m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

purple, violet, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

brown, Late summer

Problèmes courants

• Alfalfa Weevil — Larvae feed on the leaves and can cause significant foliage damage.
• Leaf Spot — Fungal infections cause dark spots on leaves, often during humid weather.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

The plant goes dormant in winter, so simply leave the foliage to die back naturally to protect the crown.

En pot

Not ideal for containers due to its extensive taproot system.

Pair alfalfa with grasses to maximize soil coverage and forage quality.

Bonnes associations

• Avoine — They are often grown together to provide a balanced forage mix.
• Bromus inermis — This grass provides structural support for the alfalfa stems.

Espèces similaires

• Mélisse noire — It is a smaller, related legume often found in similar habitats.

Science

Famille

Fabaceae

Genre

Medicago

Ordre

Fabales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

South-central Asia

Préservation

Alfalfa is a widely cultivated agricultural crop and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny fields where its deep roots access moisture during dry spells.

Intérêt pour la faune

excellent nectar source, supports beneficial insects

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

cover crop, livestock forage, soil improvement, culinary sprouts

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does alfalfa need fertilizer?

It fixes its own nitrogen, so it rarely needs supplemental nitrogen.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is better suited for garden beds due to its deep taproot.

D'où vient le nom

The name Medicago comes from the ancient region of Media, while sativa means cultivated.

Bon à savoir

• Alfalfa roots can grow up to 15 feet deep into the soil.
• The name comes from an Arabic phrase meaning best fodder.
• It is one of the most important forage crops in the world.

Aussi dans

• Plantes résistantes à la sécheresse