Medicago arborea (Moon trefoil)

Botanical name

Medicago arborea

Other names

Moon trefoil, Shrub medick, Tree medick

Genus

Medicago Medicago

Species

M. arborea - M. arborea is a tender, dense, bushy, evergreen shrub with palmate, dark green leaves that are silky when young, and dense racemes of yellow flowers from late spring to early autumn followed by flattened, spiralled, green seeds pods that turn brown with age.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Dense

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Colour

Flower

Bright-yellow in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Pruning Group 1 - Remove undesirable shoots in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Medicago arborea (Moon trefoil) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile soil in a sheltered site in full sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Medicago arborea (Moon trefoil)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Wiseana despecta

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

New Zealand pest mainly affecting pasture. Main pathway (potatoes) already prohibited and little likelihood of introduction by other means.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Medicago arborea (Moon trefoil)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Wiseana cervinata

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

New Zealand pest mainly affecting pasture. Main pathway (potatoes) already prohibited and little likelihood of introduction by other means.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Medicago arborea (Moon trefoil)

Common pest name

Leaf blight; Onion; Purple spot: Asparagus spp.

Scientific pest name

Stemphylium vesicarium

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Potential pathogen of pears further work needed to determine whether strains pathogenic to pear are in the UK and if not whether risk mitigation for those strains can be made.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/