Authors: Nancy Eckardt, Global Invasive Species Team, The Nature
Conservancy - Melilotus alba is an annual to biennial herb that
can grow from 3 to 8 ft. (0.9-2.4 m) tall. - Leaves are
alternate, trifoliate with petioles up to 1 in. (2.5 cm) long.
Leaflets are greyish green, 1 in. (2.5 cm) long and 0.3 in.
(0.85 cm) wide, dentate, and oblong to ovate. - Racemes are 2-6
in. (5.1-15.2 cm) long. Flowers are small, floppy, tubular at
base becoming broader toward outer edges, 0.3 in. (0.85 cm) long
with 5 petals. Blooming occurs from summer through fall. - Seed
pods are smooth or slightly reticulated, 0.3 in. (0.85 cm) long,
terminates in a beak, and contains 1 or 2 seeds. - Ecological
Threat - Melilotus alba can be found in prairies, fields, vacant
lots, along roadsides, and in waste lands. It is native to
Europe and Asia. Latin Name: Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.,
Melilotus alba, Melilotus albus Common Name: Sweetclover or
White Sweetclover, Yellow Sweetclover Melilotus spp. are
monocarpic, annual or biennial