Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
M. alba, M. arvensis, M. leucanthus, M. lutea, Medicago officinalis.
Other common names
white sweetclover
yellow sweetclover
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Similar species
Melilotus indica
Height
2 to 10 feet
Riparian
Yes
A tall, widely branched and leafy plant with tiny white or yellow pea flowers in numerous spikes. It grows from a long taproot.
Taprooted annual or biennial with short rhizomes. Stems erect; leaves alternate, short stemmed and pinnately compound with 3 oval leaflets. Flowers pea-like, tiny and white or yellow, borne on elongated stalks. Fruit is a plump ribbed pod.
Habitat
A weed along roadsides, riverbanks and old fields where soil has been disturbed. It often forms dense patches. It grows in full sun or partial shade, but cannot tolerate dense shade. It prefers limestone and loamy soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Elongated flower clusters can be 1-1/2 to 5 inches long. Individual flowers are less than 1/4 inch long.
Flower color
White or yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves trifoliate (3 leaflets). Leaflets have hairs on their lower surface and are finely toothed.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green, grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Seed pods are 3/8 inch long and usually contain one seed.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Black
Seeds are egg-shaped, leathery, and wrinkled.