Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Updated February 2018. Scientific name: Medicago sativa L. Common name(s):  alfalfa, purple medick Links:  USDA PLANTS Profile, Go Botany Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”) purple flowers, late June