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Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Honeybees visit alfalfa primarily for abundant nectar, which can yield significant honey flows in agricultural settings, but the flower's tripping mechanism often injures bees and limits foraging; peak bloom hits in summer with multiple cycles from late spring through early fall; it persists as a long-lived perennial but may spread aggressively outside cultivation and benefits from rotational grazing to maintain health.
| Nectar | high |
|---|---|
| Pollen | low |
| Bloom | May–September |
| Zones | 3-10 |
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | full |
| Native | Mediterranean and Central Asia — naturalized in North America |