Melilotus albus – “White Sweetclover”

Also Known As: White-Flowered Sweet Clover, White Melilot, Bokhara Clover, Honey Clover, Tree Clover, Sweet Clover
Family: Legume, Bean (Fabaceae)
Bloom Period: May-Sep
Form: Annual or biennial herb
Habitat: Moist places such as seeps and streams, formerly grazed areas
Leaves: Pinnately-compound, three leaflets are elliptic-oblong to obovate
Translation: “Melilotus” is Greek for “honey-legume,” which refers to the fact that bees love this Legume Family plant; “albus” is Latin for “white,” which describes the flowers.
Notes: Introduced from Europe in the 17th Century as fodder for cattle, and now widespread across North America, mostly in riparian areas, in part because its seeds float. Like many other plants in the Legume Family, this plant is a nitrogen fixer.
Animal Associations: Nectar source for bees, including Honey Bees.