This small clover-like plant is Medicago truncatula, a legume native to the Mediterranean region. Some plants, including legumes, are able to form relationships with microorganisms that are beneficial to both the plant and the microbe in a process known as symbiosis. In particular, legumes are known for forming nodules on their roots – organs filled with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that can turn nitrogen in the air into ammonia which the plant is then able to take up. While most people might use legumes (such as peas and beans) to make tasty and nutritious dishes, researchers take advantage of Medicago’s small genome and short life cycle and use it to delve into understanding how symbiosis works.
