English: Introduced, yearlong-green, perennial, erect legume; to 1m tall. Leaves have 3 leaflets, each to 30 mm long and with toothed margins near the tip; the stalk of central leaflet is longer than the two lateral ones. Flowerheads are racemes of 20-30, mostly purple, pea-like flowers. Pods are cylindrical and spineless, with 2-3 coils. Flowering is from spring to autumn. A native of the Mediterranean and Asia, it is sown on deep well-drained soils (e.g. alluvial flats) and is naturalised along roadsides. Does not like acid soils with a pHCa below 5 and is very sensitive to aluminium to depth. Deep-rooted, high quality, high production potential legume, it is suitable for hay, silage, grazing and cropping. Varieties vary in their winter dormancy and disease resistance. There are a number of leaf and crown diseases which can affect lucerne stands on the coast, so careful variety selection and stand management is essential. Poor basal cover of pure lucerne stands can lead to erosion. Weed competition can severely reduce lucerne establishment – plan well ahead. Causes bloat in cattle and photosensitisation in horses. Requires rotational grazing for best production and persistence. Cut or graze at 10 per cent flower or when crown shoots are 1-2 cm long on 50 per cent of plants. Do not graze below 5 cm. Back fencing aids persistence and production when used for grazing.