Black medic looks like clover but has small yellow flowers and black seed pods. It thrives in dry, compacted, low-nitrogen soil.
- Scientific name
- Medicago lupulina
- Type
- Annual or short-lived perennial broadleaf
- Most visible
- April–September
How to Identify Black Medic
- Three leaflets; middle one on a short stalk
- Small, round yellow flower clusters
- Black, kidney-shaped seed pods
- Low, sprawling growth
When It Shows Up in Oklahoma Lawns
Common along walks and in compacted areas through the growing season.
How to Control Black Medic
- Aerate compacted soil
- Fertilize properly
- Spot-treat with a selective herbicide labeled for the weed and safe for your grass type, following the label exactly