Melilot

Melilot or sweet clover is a genus of plants in the family Fabaceae. It consists of about 16 species of herbaceous annual, biennial, and perennial plants native to Europe and Asia. The name "melilot" is derived from Greek words for "honey" and "lotus" and refers to the sweet smell of the flowers, which are often used by beekeepers for honey production.

Description

Melilot plants are typically 1–2 m tall and have a growth habit similar to alfalfa. The leaves are trifoliate with toothed leaflets, and the plants produce small, pea-like yellow or white flowers in the summer. The fruit is a small pod containing one or two seeds.

Uses

Melilot has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The plant contains coumarin, a chemical compound with anticoagulant properties. In folk medicine, melilot was used to treat conditions such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Today, it is used in homeopathy and as a flavoring in some types of cheese and liqueurs.

Cultivation

Melilot is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It is often used as a green manure or cover crop because it improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

Species

Some of the most common species of melilot include:

• Melilotus albus, or white sweet clover
• Melilotus officinalis, or yellow sweet clover
• Melilotus indicus, or Indian sweet clover

Ecology

Melilot plants are an important food source for many types of wildlife. They are also a host plant for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, such as the silver Y moth.

See also

• List of Lepidoptera that feed on Melilotus