white sweetclover
(Melilotus albus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Europe and Asia.
Appearance
M. albus is an annual to a biennial herb that can grow from 3–8′ (0.9–2.4 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, trifoliate with petioles up to 1″ (2.5 cm) long. Leaflets are greyish green, 1″ (2.5 cm) long and 0.3″ (0.85 cm) wide, dentate, and oblong to ovate.
Flowers
Racemes are 2–6″ (5.1–15.2 cm) long. Flowers are small, floppy, and tubular at base becoming broader toward outer edges, 0.3″ (0.85 cm) long with 5 petals. Blooming occurs from summer through fall.
Fruit
Seed pods are smooth or slightly reticulated, 0.3″ (0.85 cm) long, terminates in a beak, and contains 1 or 2 seeds.
Ecological Threat
M. albus can be found in prairies, fields, vacant lots, along roadsides, and in wastelands.
Native to Europe and Asia.
Appearance
M. albus is an annual to a biennial herb that can grow from 3–8′ (0.9–2.4 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, trifoliate with petioles up to 1″ (2.5 cm) long. Leaflets are greyish green, 1″ (2.5 cm) long and 0.3″ (0.85 cm) wide, dentate, and oblong to ovate.
Flowers
Racemes are 2–6″ (5.1–15.2 cm) long. Flowers are small, floppy, and tubular at base becoming broader toward outer edges, 0.3″ (0.85 cm) long with 5 petals. Blooming occurs from summer through fall.
Fruit
Seed pods are smooth or slightly reticulated, 0.3″ (0.85 cm) long, terminates in a beak, and contains 1 or 2 seeds.
Ecological Threat
M. albus can be found in prairies, fields, vacant lots, along roadsides, and in wastelands.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council
- Hoffman, R. & K. Kearns, Eds. 1997. Wisconsin manual of control recommendations for ecologically invasive plants. Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources. Madison, Wisconsin. 102pp.
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Severe Threat
- Missouri SRISP Species List
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Ohio Invasive Species Council
- Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program Tracked Species List
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Melilotus |
| Melilotus albus |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.