Citation: Miller, Gard. Dict. edn 8 (1768).

Synonymy: M. polyrnorpha L. var. laciniata L., Sp. P1. 781 (1753). , Medicago polymorpha

Common name: Cut-leaf medic.

Description:
Somewhat pubescent annual herb; branches 13-35 cm long, procumbent or ascending; leaflets obcordate, 5-15 mm long, cuneate, truncate, with a broad terminal tooth, margins laciniate, or entire toward the base and serrate in the upper third; stipules ovate, dentate to pectinate.

Peduncle with 1 or 2 flowers terminally, cuspidate, glabrescent, about as long as the petiole; flowers 4-6 mm long, on a pedicel shorter than the calyx tube; bract about as long as the pedicel; calyx 2-3 mm long, with few appressed hairs, teeth about half as long as the tube; petals yellow, more than twice the length of the calyx; standard ovate; wings shorter than the keel.

Young pods glabrous, rarely with sparse hairs; mature pod spherical, ovoid, cylindrical or cone-shaped, 3-5 mm diam., generally glabrous, yellow-brown to greyish, spiny; coils 3-7, turning clockwise; central vein enlarged, convex, smooth, lateral veins joining the elevated central vein as shoulders at right angles; veins on coil face 8-16, S-shaped, running into a protruding lateral vein; spines 8-16 in a row, 1-4 mm long, slightly hooked, grooved in the lower part, with 1 prong attached to the central vein and with the other to the lateral vein, inserted at 90º-180º to the coil face; seeds 2-3 mm long, 1 or 2 in each coil, not separated.

Image source: fig. 350D in J.P. Jessop and H.R. Toelken Ed. 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 401 .

Distribution:  In S.Aust. it is sparingly established. One specimen collected in 1929 was from Riverton and a recent one was from the Murray River near Chowilia. S.Aust.: EP, NL, MU.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.   occurs in the Mediterranean, Africa, Europe (most probable adventive) and Asia. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: June (1 record).

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available