The species Medicago sativa L. belongs to the section Medicago, and is a primary wild relative of the cultivated crop alfalfa, M. sativa L. ssp. sativa (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2010). There are five subspecies M. sativa native to Europe: M. sativa ssp. caerulea (Ledeb.) Schmalh., M. sativa ssp. falcata (L.) Arcang., M. sativa ssp. glomerata (Balb.) Tutin, M. sativa ssp. microcarpa Urb., and M. sativa ssp. varia (Martyn) Arcang.

European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

Due to the widespread nature of this species, and no known threats, it is classified as Least Concern.

M. sativa is rare in the wild, except in Caucasus, the Iberian Peninsula, and Turkey, but is widely naturalised via escapes from cultivation and is now cultivated throughout the world (Al-Atawneh et al. 2009, USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources 2010).

In France it is widespread, occurs in all departments except Aisne where it has not been recorded (Association Tela Botanica 2000-2010). In the UK Medicago sativa ssp. falcata is confined to East Anglia in England, however it also has a sparse and patchy distribution throughout the rest of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but these occurrences are recorded as alien (Preston et al. 2002). In Ireland Medicago sativa ssp. falcate occurs in only two localities in the west of the country and both of these occurrences are recorded as alien (Preston et al. 2002). In Denmark: both M. sativa ssp. falcata and M. sativa ssp. sativa occur within this country however only M. sativa ssp. falcata is native (P. Wind pers. comm. 2010).

The exact population size of wild Medicago sativa is unknown, but the species is considered common throughout its range and populations are stable. However, in the UK according to Preston et al. (2002), Medicago sativa ssp. falcata has declined in coastal areas due to habitat loss. It is also unable to cope with animal grazing and it can hybridise with M. sativa ssp. sativa - these factors also play a role in its decline (Preston et al. 2002).

M. sativa is rare in the wild, but specimens are generally found in open habitats, such as roadsides and field borders. However, these are frequently plants which have escaped from agriculture. It requires a soil pH of at least 6.0, and can be found growing up to elevations of 2,400 m (FAO 2010). When growing in coastal areas, M. sativa occurs on sandy and sandy-loam soil types, whereas in mountainous regions it tends to grow on clay and heavier clay-loam soil types. Generally Medicago species grow best on alkaline soils which are well drained (Bennett et al. 1998).

M. sativa grows on moderately fertile calcareous soils, commonly in open habitats. It is found in dry semi-desert to agricultural land, and less frequently in scrub and woodland (Al-Atawneh et al. 2009).

M. sativa is a perennial herb which flowers between May and July. It grows on many different soil types, but favours well-drained loamy soil and does not tolerate waterlogging or acid soils. It can tolerate an average annual rainfall of 1030 mm, temperatures between 4.3ºC and 28.5ºC, and soil pH between 4.3 and 8.7 (Duke 1981).

In the UK Medicago sativa ssp. falcata is a lowland species with a preference for calcareous soils and sands; it grows on grassy heaths, sea-walls, roadsides and tracks (Preston et al. 2002).

There are no know specific threats to the wild forms of the species, apart from the unknown consequences of withspread hybridisation with the crop. Research by Al-Atawneh et al. (2009) suggests that M. sativa is not threatened.

In its none wild form, M. sativa (alfalfa) is primarily grown as animal feed, either as high quality fodder or for direct grazing. It is often dehydrated to form pellets, which are then used as a nitrogen supplement for dairy animals and non-ruminants. However, it has a number of beneficial uses in soil which could potentially be improved using wild types, such as nitrogen fixation, soil stabilisation and soil enhancement. It can also aid in lowering water tables, reducing the salinity of drylands and reducing nitrate leaching, as well as providing a disease or weed break in the process of crop rotation (Prosperi et al. 2001). Furthermore, wild types of M. sativa could be potential gene donors to cultivated alfalfa, M. sativa ssp. sativa.

M. sativa, as well as the majority of Mediterranean species of Medicago, has germplasm stored in numerous genebanks, notably the Australian Medicago Genetic Resources Centre (AMGRC) in Adelaide, Australia, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in the USA, and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria (Prosperi et al. 2001).

M. sativa ssp. falcata is classified as Least Concern (LC) in Denmark (Den Danske Rødliste 2010).

EURISCO reports 4,084 germplasm accessions held in European genebanks, 250 of which are reported to be of wild or weedy origin. Of the wild accessions, 194 originate from within Europe (EURISCO Catalogue 2010).