Melilotus officinalis, commonly known as sweet yellow clover or common melilot, is an annual or biennial herb native to Eurasia. It has been introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia, where it often colonizes disturbed sites, including fields and roadsides. Sweet yellow clover typically grows up to 71 inches tall and has a deep taproot. The plant features small, fragrant yellow flowers arranged in elongated clusters that bloom in spring and summer, providing forage for bees and other pollinators.

Sweet yellow clover is valued for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it useful in agricultural settings as a cover crop or green manure. It is also planted for erosion control and can be found in wildflower mixes for meadows. In cultivation, it prefers calcareous, loamy, and clay soils with a pH above 6.5. It is drought-tolerant but does not tolerate standing water or acidic soils. While it can be beneficial in its native range, Melilotus officinalis is considered invasive in some regions outside its native habitat, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0