Yellow Sweet Clover
(Melilotus melilotus-officinalis)
Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus melilotus-officinalis)
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© Steve Addison
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© Steve Addison
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CC BY 4.0
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Photo by: © Steve Addison | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: digitaltidepool | Publisher: iNaturalist |













Estimated Native Range
Summary
Melilotus melilotus-officinalis, commonly known as Yellow Sweet Clover or Common Melilot, is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb native to Eurasia, particularly found in temperate regions. It thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. This species is well-adapted to open, sunny environments and is often a pioneer species in ecological succession. It typically reaches a height of 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters), with erect, branching stems.
Yellow Sweet Clover is recognized for its fragrant, yellow flowers that are arranged in elongated clusters and bloom from late spring to early autumn, attracting pollinators such as bees. The plant is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which can improve soil fertility, making it useful in agricultural settings as a cover crop. It is also planted for erosion control and as forage for livestock. In gardens, it can serve as a temporary filler or be used in wildflower meadows. Yellow Sweet Clover prefers full sun but tolerates part shade and is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, with medium to fast drainage. It requires moderate watering but can tolerate drought once established.CC BY-SA 4.0
Yellow Sweet Clover is recognized for its fragrant, yellow flowers that are arranged in elongated clusters and bloom from late spring to early autumn, attracting pollinators such as bees. The plant is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which can improve soil fertility, making it useful in agricultural settings as a cover crop. It is also planted for erosion control and as forage for livestock. In gardens, it can serve as a temporary filler or be used in wildflower meadows. Yellow Sweet Clover prefers full sun but tolerates part shade and is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, with medium to fast drainage. It requires moderate watering but can tolerate drought once established.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-6 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Fragrant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Temperate grasslands, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas in Eurasia
Other Names
Common Names: Common Melilot, Ribbed Melilot
Scientific Names: , Melilotus melilotus-officinalis, Melilotus officinalis, Trifolium melilotus var. officinalis, Trifolium melilotus-officinalis,
GBIF Accepted Name: