Medicago lupulina, July 11, 2022
Common & scientific name
Black medick, Medicago lupulina
Family
Pea, Fabaceae
Location
Grottos, 9,500’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Yes, this non-native from Eurasia is the same flower that invades your lawn. However, it is nutritious, loved by bees, and seen in just a handful of roadside locations on the Pass, so not an invasive of concern. The genus name Medicago refers to the region of Iran known as Media, where this plant was believed to have originated.