Medicago orbicularis, commonly known as blackdisk medick or button clover, is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean basin and the European Black Sea coast, thriving in open areas, grasslands, and disturbed sites. It typically forms a low-growing mat with a height of up to 6 inches (15 cm) and can spread wider. The plant is characterized by its small, rounded leaves and distinctive, coiled seed pods that resemble buttons, which give rise to its common names. The flowers are small and yellow, blooming in the spring and early summer, and are not particularly showy. Blackdisk medick is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which can improve soil fertility, making it useful in agricultural settings as a cover crop or green manure.

In cultivation, blackdisk medick requires minimal care, thriving in well-drained soils and tolerating a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established and can be used for erosion control or as a ground cover in xeriscaping. However, gardeners should be cautious as it can become weedy and potentially invasive outside its native range. It is not commonly grown in ornamental gardens but may be of interest for ecological restoration projects or as a forage plant in pasture mixes.CC BY-SA 4.0