Sickle Alfalfa
Medicago falcata
Also listed as Medica falcata
Also known as Sickle Medick
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy legume with yellow flowers and distinctive sickle-shaped seed pods, commonly used as a forage crop and nitrogen-fixing cover plant. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for improving soil in arid regions.
Why grow it
Sickle alfalfa is notably more drought-tolerant than common alfalfa (Medicago sativa) once established, making it better suited to semi-arid and arid climates where conventional alfalfa struggles. Like other legumes, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen and builds soil fertility, but its hardiness in marginal conditions and lower water requirements distinguish it from improved alfalfa varieties. It performs well as a cover crop, pasture plant, or soil amendment in regions with limited irrigation or seasonal dry periods.
Watch out for
Sickle alfalfa can be slow to establish from seed and may take two growing seasons to reach productive vigor. In cooler climates, germination and early growth may be inconsistent, so site selection and adequate moisture during establishment improve outcomes. Stands can thin over time in poorly drained soils, and the plant responds poorly to waterlogged conditions despite its drought tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Central Asia, Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy legume with yellow flowers and distinctive sickle-shaped seed pods, commonly used as a forage crop and nitrogen-fixing cover plant. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for improving soil in arid regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sickle Alfalfa grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Sickle alfalfa is notably more drought-tolerant than common alfalfa (Medicago sativa) once established, making it better suited to semi-arid and arid climates where conventional alfalfa struggles. Like other legumes, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen and builds soil fertility, but its hardiness in marginal conditions and lower water requirements distinguish it from improved alfalfa varieties. It performs well as a cover crop, pasture plant, or soil amendment in regions with limited irrigation or seasonal dry periods.
Watch out for
Sickle alfalfa can be slow to establish from seed and may take two growing seasons to reach productive vigor. In cooler climates, germination and early growth may be inconsistent, so site selection and adequate moisture during establishment improve outcomes. Stands can thin over time in poorly drained soils, and the plant responds poorly to waterlogged conditions despite its drought tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native Range
Central Asia, Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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