287
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. The Spanish-Arabic (according to wiktionary and the DRAE) name alfalfa is widely used, particularly in North America and Australia. But in the UK, South Africa and New Zealand, the more commonly used name is lucerne. It superficially resembles clover, with clusters of small purple flowers followed by fruits spiralled in 2 to 3 turns containing 10-20 seeds. Alfalfa is native to a warmer temperate climate such as that of Iran (where it is thought to have originated). It has been cultivated as livestock fodder since at least the era of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
183623
Alfalfa
287.jpg
image/jpeg
145781
2012-04-20T09:42:00Z
314
Herbs and Spices
Herbs
Type 1
2011-02-09T00:37:30Z
2019-05-14T18:04:21Z
false
specific
3879
true
FOOD00286