It can sometimes act as a perennial during years when the winter is mild. Black medic leaves have three leaflets with the center leaflet extended on a short stalk. Stems may spread one or two feet from the original growing point but do not root at nodes.
Black medic has small, compact, yellow flowers that form in leaf axils.
Leaves grow in a rosette fashion and are spoon-shaped with wavy margins. Prominent veins run lengthwise on the leaf surface. Broadleaf plantain has a thick tap root that grows deep into the soil. Buckhorn plantain is closely related to broadleaf plantain. It is a large perennial broadleaf weed that grows in a rosette fashion.