General: Black Medick (Medicago lupulina) is a perennial forb that grows close to the ground with compound leaves that have three, rounded leaflets. The flowers, borne in clusters, are yellow. Fruits remain on the stem, turn black, and are kidney-shaped.

Black Medick is an uncommon component of vegetation communities in wet areas on bajadas into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) and Transition (Yellow Pine Forest) life zone.

Around Las Vegas, look for Black Medick around springs and seeps in the Spring Mountains. Native to Eurasia, Black Medick is non-native and considered to be an invasive weed in some areas.

Family: Pea (Fabaceae)