Like the true clovers, black medick has three leaflets and a small, yellow flower closely resembling those of lesser trefoil.

[2] The generic name Medicago is derived, via Latin medica, from Ancient Greek Μηδική (Mēdikḗ) "Median", because alfalfa was believed to have been introduced from the region of Media (now in Iran) in antiquity.

Mature plants measure from 15 to 80 cm (6 to 31 in) in height, with fine stems often lying flat at the beginning of growth and later erecting.

[11]: 148 [9]: 175 Black medick has small (2–3 mm)[9] yellow flowers grouped in tight bunches (compact racemes).

[10] A native of the old world, black medick is found throughout Europe, north Africa, the Near East, and most of Asia, including India, China, and Korea.

[6] Black medick thrives in dry to moist, well-drained soils[12] containing sand, loam, or clay, and is a pioneer plant, often growing on disturbed ground.

However, because black medick and other clovers fix nitrogen in the soil, this deficiency can improve over time due to the presence of these plants.