bur clover

Medicago polymorpha

groundcover☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 10a – Zone 11b

Bur clover is a low-growing legume with small yellow flowers and distinctive spiky seed pods that cling to clothing and animal fur. It thrives in dry conditions and is commonly found in Mediterranean climates and grasslands.

Overview

Form: Spreading
Growth Rate: fast
Size: 0.5–1.3′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy: deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

Zone 10aZone 11b

1471013

ColderWarmer

pH Range

5.98.2

7.0

3.556.589

Soil Texture

Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

Season of Interest

Spring

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Mediterranean

Function & Care

biomass/mulchdynamic accumulatorerosion controlnitrogen fixerpollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Nitrogen Fixer · High

Establishment & Care

Establishment: easy
Maintenance: low
Propagation: seed

Companion Planting

Plants well with

tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Bur clover fixes nitrogen and can be used as a cover crop between tomato plantings to improve soil fertility and structure.