Lucern \Lu"cern\, n. [F. luzerne.] (Bot.) A leguminous plant (Medicago sativa), having bluish purple cloverlike flowers, cultivated for fodder; -- called also alfalfa. [Written also lucerne.]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Alfalfa \Al*fal"fa\, n. [Sp.] (Bot.) The lucern (Medicago sativa); -- so called in California, Texas, etc.