Medicago arborea

Botanical Description

Medicago arborea is an evergreen shrub that usually grows around 1 - 2 metres tall, but can reach 4 metres[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as a soil stabilizer and is often grown as an ornamental. Although Medicago arborea has a relatively restricted distribution, the majority of its native range falls within Europe where it has a stable population and no apparent major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The plant is often cultivated, especially in Mediterranean climates, as an ornamental and in soil stabilization projects. It has frequently escaped from cultivation and become established in France, where it is described as invasive.