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Glite Dictionary
Medicago lupulina

Medicago lupulina

9.6
A low-growing plant from Europe with small yellow flowers often found in lawns
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Medicago lupulina
  • The small yellow flowers of Medicago lupulina attract various pollinators in the spring.

Examples

  • Medicago lupulina is often found growing in lawns and fields throughout temperate regions.

  • Farmers sometimes use Medicago lupulina as a forage crop for livestock.

  • The Medicago lupulina is often found in grassy areas.

  • Many gardeners appreciate Medicago lupulina for its low maintenance.

  • Medicago lupulina is commonly seen in meadows and low-maintenance gardens due to its vibrant yellow flowers.

  • Medicago lupulina grows well in poor soil, making it a favorite among landscape designers for sustainable gardens.

  • Medicago lupulina provides essential nutrients to the soil and serves as a valuable cover crop for farmers.

Synonyms

black medick
vsMedicago lupulina
8.7

A low plant with small yellow flowers and curved black seed pods

is the scientific name for that same plant
yellow trefoil
vsMedicago lupulina
9.8

A low-growing plant with small yellow flowers and curved black seed pods

is the official botanical name rather than the common descriptive name
hop clover
vsMedicago lupulina
9.2

A low plant with small yellow flowers that grows close to the ground

emphasizes curved black seed pods rather than the shamrock label
nonesuch clover
vsMedicago lupulina
  • UK
9.9

A low-growing plant with small yellow flowers and curved black seed pods often found in grass

refers to the specific species instead of that different species

Surface Forms

Medicago lupulina singular
Medicago lupulinas plural

Morphology

Medicago + lupulina

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name) where the overall meaning functions as a proper name rather than a compositional phrase. Even if a learner recognized 'Medicago' as a plant genus, the specific epithet 'lupulina' has no transparent English meaning here, so the name does not convey the descriptive sense given in the definition to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Medicago lupulina comes from two parts: Medicago is from the old name for a region called Media, and lupulina means 'little hop' because the plant's small flower heads and seed pods look like tiny hop cones. That's why people also call it 'hop clover' or 'black medick'.