Weed group: Summer annual. Black Medic is also considered a noxious weed
Characteristics: Resembles and often mistaken as clover. Low growing, crawling weed. Black medic is also a legume and is able fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Sprouts from seed in the spring and fall, often living through the winter. Plants that germinate in summer will not flower until the following spring if they survive the winter. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds. (Oklahoma winds regularly deliver us weeds from miles away. When May rolls around every year and the tornados are active, I just know we are getting weeds from every state in the union!)
Control:
• Cultural: Hot dry weather where the soil is usually compacted and without organic material. Inadequate watering brings in Medic.
• Natural: DO NOT scalp your lawn in the spring. If seeds cannot contact the ground nor get sun light they will not geminate. Hand pull or dig out. Prevent by aerating the soil and adding organic materials to beds. Even watering and mulch bare spots. Have a healthy lawn that prevents seeds from sprouting.
• Chemical: Prevent spring weeds by NOT scalping your lawn in the spring. If seeds cannot contact the ground nor get sun light they will not geminate. The best weed control is a healthy managed lawn.