Snail Clover
Medicago scutellata (L.) Mill.
Medicago scutellata, commonly known as Snail Clover, is a species in the genus Medicago of the Fabaceae family. It is distributed across regions including Portugal, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and parts of the Mediterranean basin. The plant forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which enables nitrogen fixation.
Description
Medicago scutellata (L.) Mill. is a member of the Fabaceae family, known by the common name Snail Clover. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and has been documented in several regions including Portugal, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and parts of the United States. The species is known for its ability to form a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, which contributes to nitrogen fixation in the soil. First published in 1768, this plant is also referred to as shield medick in some contexts.
Other common names
Snail medickSnail CloverSnail Medicsnail trefoilsnail-clover
Distribution
Portugal Continental · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · Austria · SE · PL · AU · Global · JP · conterminous 48 United States · Algeria · Argentina Northeast · Baleares · Corse · Cyprus · East Aegean Is. · Greece · Italy · Japan · Kriti · Krym · Lebanon-Syria · Libya · Maryland · Morocco · Palestine
Synonyms
Medicago polymorpha var. scutellataMedicago inermisMedica scutellataMedicago scutellarisCochleata scutellataPocockia scutellata
