Morphological Stages of Development in Alfalfa

Early vegetative: Stem length less than 6 inch; no visible buds, flowers or seed pods

Mid vegetative: Stem length 6-12 inches; no visible buds, flowers or seed pods

Late vegetative: Stem length greater than 12 inches; no visible buds, flowers or seed pods

Early bud:  1-2 nodes with visible buds; no flowers or seed pods

Late bud:  3 or more nodes with visible buds; no flowers or seed pods

Early flower: 1 node with 1 open flower; no seed pods

Late flower: 2 or more nodes with open flowers; no seed pods

Early seed pod: 1-3 nodes with green seed pods

Late seed pod: 4 or more nodes with green seed pods

Ripe seed pod: Nodes with mostly brown, mature seed pods

Information gathered from University of Idaho CIS 1003