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alfalfa
alfalfa or lucern , perennial leguminous plant ( Medicago sativa ) of the family Leguminosae ( pulse family), the most important pasture and hay plant in North America, also grown extensively in Argentina, S Europe, and Asia. Probably native to Persia, it was introduced to the United States by Spanish colonists. Of high yield, high protein content, and such prolific growth that it acts as an effective weed control, alfalfa is also valued in crop rotation and for soil improvement because of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its nodules. The several varieties of the species grow well in most temperate regions except those with acid soil or poor drainage. The alfalfa belt of the United States centers chiefly in the northern and western parts of the country. Young alfalfa shoots have been used as food for humans and have antiscorbutic properties. Carotene and chlorophyll for commercial use are extracted from the leaves. Alfalfa is also called medic, the name for any plant of the genus Medicago —Old World herbs with blue or yellow flowers similar to those of the related clovers. Black medic ( M. lupulina ) and the bur clovers ( M. arabica and M. hispida ) are among the annual species naturalized as weeds in North America and sometimes also grown for hay and pasture. Alfalfa is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Leguminosae. |
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"alfalfa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alfalfa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-alfalfa.html "alfalfa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-alfalfa.html |
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alfalfa
alfalfa (lucerne) Leguminous, perennial plant with spiral pods and purple, clover-like flowers. Like other legumes, it has the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen and is often grown by farmers and then ploughed under. It is a valuable fodder plant. Height: 0.5–1.2m (1.5–4ft). Species Medicago sativa. Family Leguminosae. See also nitrogen fixation
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"alfalfa." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alfalfa." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-alfalfa.html "alfalfa." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-alfalfa.html |
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alfalfa
al·fal·fa / alˈfalfə/ • n. a leguminous plant (Medicago sativa) with cloverlike leaves and bluish flowers. It is widely grown for fodder. |
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"alfalfa." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alfalfa." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-alfalfa.html "alfalfa." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-alfalfa.html |
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alfalfa
alfalfa Or lucerne, Medicago sativa, commonly grown for animal feed and silage; the seeds can be soaked in water to germinate and then eaten as sprouts.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "alfalfa." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "alfalfa." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-alfalfa.html DAVID A. BENDER. "alfalfa." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-alfalfa.html |
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alfalfa
alfalfa XIX. — Sp. alfalfa, formerly alfalfez — Arab. al-faṣfaṣa ‘the best sort of fodder’.
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T. F. HOAD. "alfalfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "alfalfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-alfalfa.html T. F. HOAD. "alfalfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-alfalfa.html |
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alfalfa
alfalfa
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•philosopher, theosopher
•metaphor • Christopher • surfer
•Bonhoeffer • windsurfer
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"alfalfa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alfalfa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-alfalfa.html "alfalfa." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-alfalfa.html |
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