 |
Camping & Wilderness |  |
Parks & Conservation |
 |
Wildlife & Biodiversity |
 |
Monitoring the Environment |
 |
Fishing |  |
Hunting & Trapping |
 |
Education & Youth |
 |
Publications, Maps & Data |
Invasive Plants
- Perennial Sow Thistle
- Creeping Thistle
- Oxeye Daisy
- Common Tansy
- Spotted Knapweed
- Narrowleaf Hawksbeard
- Scentless Chamomile
- Leafy Spurge
- Foxtail Barley
- Altai Wild Rye
- Crested Wheat Grass
- Smooth Brome
- Quackgrass
- Reed Canary Grass
- Bird Vetch
- Lucerne
- Sweetclover
- Greater Butter-and-Eggs
- Dalmatica Toadflas
Lucerne
Common Name: Lucerne
Scientific Name: Medicago falcata
Family: Fabaceae
Description
Lucerne, or yellow alfalfa, is a perennial plant in the pea family. The flowers are yellow and the pods curved or moon-shaped. It is a hardy forage crop for grazing animals. It is closely related to, and often hybridizes with, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) so these are often considered subspecies.
Range in Yukon
Lucerne is known from the communities of Whitehorse, Mayo, Faro, Carmacks, Stewart Crossing and Haines Junction, but in recent years has spread rapidly, especially along the Alaska and Haines highways. Alfalfa is also widespread throughout the southern Yukon.
Similar Species
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is not as invasive, but is persistent and slowly spreads in disturbed areas. It can be separated from lucerne by having pods that are spirally coiled. It comes in colours from white to dark purple including blue, red and yellow. Black medick (Medicago lupulina) is an annual plant that creeps along the ground. It has shown up occasionally at some mine reclamation sites and the Dempster corner.
Ecological Impact
Lucerne may facilitate the invasion of other exotic or native species by increasing the nutrient contents in the ground. It may invade undisturbed grasslands, reducing biodiversity and changing community structure.
Control
Perennial plants require depletion of nutrient reserves in the root system, prevention of seed production and prevention of dispersal.
Contact Environment Yukon Government of Yukon Box 2703 (V-5N) Bruce Bennett, Wildlife Viewing Biologist Phone: 867-667-5331 Email: bruce.bennett@gov.yk.ca |