Relationships of
Vertebrate Animals
to this Plant:
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Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) [Fabaceae]
(observations are from Lindroth & Batzli, Hamilton, Martin et al., Cole & Batzli, Bellrose, and Havera)
Birds
Anatidae: Branta canadensis (Canada Goose) [feeds on this plant in Illinois & elsewhere] Blr1942 Hv1999; Gruidae: Grus canadensis (Sandhill Crane) [foliage & seeds comprise 0-5% of the diet in western United States during winter] MZN1951; Phasianidae: Perdix perdix (Hungarian Partridge) [seeds & foliage comprise 2-5% of the diet in the Northern Plains during summer] MZN1951
Mammals
Cricetidae: Microtous ochrogaster (Prairie Vole) [feeds on seeds and/or foliage] CB1979 MZN1951, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Meadow Vole) [shoots of this plant comprise 1% of the diet, feeds on this plant] LB1984 MZN1951, Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse) [eats the seeds] Hm1941, Peromyscus maniculatus (Deer Mouse) [eats the seeds] Hm1941; Geomyidae: Geomys bursarius (Plains Pocket Gopher) [feeds on this plant] MZN1951; Leporidae: Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern Cottontail) [foliage & seeds comprise 5-10% of the diet in Ohio throughout the year] MZN1951; Sciuridae: Marmota monax (Groundhog) [foliage comprises 2-5% of the diet in NE USA] MZN1951