| Botanical Name |
Melilotus officinalis |
| Common Name |
Yellow sweet clover, Ribbed melilot |
| Family |
Fabaceae - Legume |
| Description |
This widely branched, erect plant can be an annual, biennial or perennial. The trifoliate leaves are serrated more than half way back from the tips. They resemble those of alfalfa. Common along roadsides throughout New Mexico. It has a sweet odor when crushed. |
| Mature Size |
2’ – 6’ |
| Bloom |
In the summer this plant has small, yellow, pea-like flowers that often fade to cream color. They are arranged in many-flowered racemes. Seedpods are 1 or 2 seeded and are strongly wrinkled in appearance. The flowers are hermaphrodite — have both male and female organs. |
| Interesting Facts |
When this native of Europe and Asia is eaten by cattle it often causes bloat. This plant is high in coumarin, which has been used as an anti clotting agent for the blood. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses |
It is sometimes grown for soil stabilization or soil improvement. The flowers are a major source of nectar for honeybees. It has been used for long term treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, for sleeplessness, nervous tension, eye inflammation, rheumatic pain, swollen joints, bruising, boils and as insect repellent. |
