Melilotus officinale

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Legend for Species Pages

[edit] Yellow Sweetclover

• Moss, Flora of Alberta – Common
• Global Invasive Species Database – No
• NatureServe Rank – Medium
• Haber, Upland – Moderate
• Haber, Wetland – No
• CWF, Status & Invasive Range – Low, BC, SK, AB, MB, ON, QC, NF
• Alberta Revegetation Guidelines – Invasive agronomic: invasive in dry prairie, persistent elsewhere
• The Nature Conservancy – Yes, w/ ESA
• CBCN – Low
• AB Weed – No

Synonyms: [1] Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.

 Melilotus alba Medikus, orth. var.   
 Melilotus albus Medik.     
 Melilotus albus Medik. var. annuus Coe    
 Melilotus arvensis Wallr.    
 Melilotus leucanthus W.D.J. Koch ex DC.    
 Melilotus lutea Gueldenst.    
 Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. var. micranthus O.E. Schulz

[edit] Remarks

At one time, Sweetclovers were widely cultivated for nitrogen fixation and forage production. Very similar to M. alba, but possibly more aggressive. Seems to expand in "flushes" as the seeds in the soil germinate in wetter years, producing many new plants and seeds, which may then stay dormant in the soil until the next favorable year. Habitats that seem most susceptible to invasion are those usually kept open by natural disturbance such as badlands and riparian areas.

[2] Link to USDA Plants Profile for Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.

[3] Link to USDA Plants Characteristics for Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.

[4] Link to NatureServe I-Rank info for Melilotus officinalis

[5] Link to Missouri Department of Conservation, Vegetation Management Guideline, White and Yellow Sweet Clover, Melilotus alba Medic. and Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas

Edible: see Melilotus alba

Dry prairie overtaken by Sweetclover

Sweetclovers spread from roadsides into adjacent vegetation