Medicago polymorpha

Μηδική η πολύμορφη

Etymology of Medicago polymorpha: The term "Medicago" derives from "Μήδια" [Media], a historical geographic area occupied by the Medi that occupied a large part of today’s central and western Iran south of the Caspian Sea, the territory from which the ancient Greeks thought the plant originated; from this derived the Ancient Greek word for plant "μηδική" [medice], meaning "of Media". Latinized "Medicago" became as such from "medica" + the suffix "-ago", as in "Plantago".

There are at least 24 species and one hybrid in the wild Cypriot habitat (plus another domesticated one), of which one species appears exclusively in the occupied north. Another one's existence is questionable.

Medicago polymorpha is a common plant of Cypriot nature. It appears all around the island, excluding northwestern Cyprus, up to an altitude of 1375 metres. Its flowering period is normally between December and August.

How to identify Medicago polymorpha:

It is almost impossible to identify Medicago polymorpha unless you are aware of what its fruit looks like. Its fruit is similar to Medicago minima and Medicago discinformis, their main difference is the following:

Medicago minima and discinformis have leaflets more or less pilose or pubescent on both surfaces. Polymorpha has leaflets glabrous above, subglabrous or thinly pilose below.