alfalfa

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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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