Medicago minima is a plant species of the genus Medicago. It is native to the Mediterranean basin but is found worldwide.
Bur medick is a Eurasian native introduced in North and South America, Australia and Africa. In New England it has been collected only in Connecticut and Massachusetts wool waste and dumps. Flower petal color: yellow.
This plant grows on dry sandy heaths in Breckland and in open sandy or gravelly places on the coast. It is a plant of open low vegetation which tolerates little competition. In Breckland it is found on low banks, on road verges, disturbed ground by rabbit warrens and it sometimes grows in small quantity.
It is still frequent in the Breckland, and in open places around the coast, but it is decreasing where lack of grazing has allowed its habitats to become more rank. It is widespread in Europe, as far north as Britain and Denmark, and also found in Asia, Africa and parts of the New World.
How to get rid of:
The best way to control the weed is to remove it before it has a chance to set its seed, even better before it flowers.
It is also tolerant of most herbicides, though non-selective types can help kill the plant as well as boiling water. Neither of these, however, will kill the burrs that are left behind in the lawn or garden.
Therefore, you may want to use an old woolen blanket to drag over the area first, which should snag most of these burrs.
