Burclover
Medicago polymorpha
(Medicago hispida)
Photographed in a vacant lot in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 06 March 2008.
ANNUAL: Winter dormant Bermuda grass lawns often have dark green patches of Burclover, particularly if there has been winter rains and no seeding to winter ryegrass. This winter and spring weed can also be found in vacant lots and around agricultural areas.
FRUIT: A bean pod with one or a few seeds that coils and is beset with hooked projections, i.e. it forms a bur. Mature pods might catch in socks or cuffs.
FLOWERS: Bright yellow pea-flowers are small.
LEAVES: Leaves are triplet compound and resemble those of other clovers and alfalfa (Medicago sativa).
RANGE: Frequent throughout urban and agricultura areas in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.
UNARMED: Slight prickles on bean pod.