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Alfalfa
Bloom confirmed nearby
Medicago sativa
In the United States:
Cultivated
· also called alfalfa, lucerne, Alfalfa —
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 (US) | May–September |
| Hardiness zones | 3-11 |
| Duration | ~2 months |
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | full |