Lucerne flowers pictures.

LEAVES : Alternate, trifoliate, elliptical leaflets.

PLANT HEIGHT : 40�90cm.

FLOWER SIZE : 7�11mm long.

FRUIT : Spiralled pod, 5�6mm wide, with a hole in the centre.

FLOWERING TIME : June�July.

SIMILAR SPECIES : Tufted Vetch (left), which has pinnate leaves and longer flower clusters. Also known as Alfalfa, Lucerne was introduced throughout Europe as a fodder crop for cattle. Its trifoliate leaves are divided into long, slender leaflets, each toothed at the tip. The flowers, in loose clusters, vary in colour from pale pink to deep violet.