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| They are legumes, related to alfalfa. |
| They are true annuals, they flower, set seed and die within one
growing season. |
| They are all self-pollinating, therefore bees are not required to
produce seed. |
| They are native to the Mediterranean region of the
world. |
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In Australia the annual medics are used as a winter annual, they germinate in the fall, grow during
the winter, set seed and die in the spring. If planted in the spring they would be called summer
annuals. Most of the medics complete their life cycle in 65 to 100 days after planting. The annual
medics are not cold hardy and they will die after a killing frost. In dry climates, like Australia,
southern California, and Arizona: annual medics have the potential to produce hard seeds which
can regenerate and become a subsequent crop.
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However, in other partsof the country such as the
Midwest were there is adequate soil moisture a few hard seed will be produced which can
volunteer the next growing season, but they can be controlled with cultivation.
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Medics have unique, distinct pods with seeds usually larger than
those of alfalfa. Annual medics generally have greater seedling vigor than alfalfa; especially the
large seeded types. |
| Snail and gama medics have some natural resistance to the alfalfa
weevil and potato leafhopper due to gland tipped hairs on the stems, leaves and pods.
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Medics appear to be best adapted to soils with a pH of 6 and
above; however, some species are more tolerant to low pH soils. Annual medic seeds should be
planted ¼ to ½ inch deep at a rate of 12 - 16 lbs/acre for small seeded species such as
burr medic and 25 - 42 lbs/acre for large seeded species such as snail medic. |