Medics are annual species of Medicago which are closely related to alfalfa.
The annual medics are endemic to the Mediterranean region of the world. The medics are fast growing and true annuals were most of them will complete their life cycle in 65 to 100 days. Medics appear to be best adapted to soils with a pH of 6 and above, however, some species are more tolerant to low pH soils such as M. murex . Medics have been found to produce up to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre provided effective inoculant is used. Medics should be inoculated with a appropriate Rhizobium as the standard strains used for alfalfa may not be effective.