Sweet clover

Sweet clover (Melilotus) is a genus of plants in the family Fabaceae (legume family). It is known for its sweet-smelling flowers, which can be white, yellow, or purple. Sweet clover is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America.

Description

Sweet clover is a biennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years. In the first year, it grows a rosette of leaves close to the ground. In the second year, it sends up a tall flowering stalk, which can reach up to 2 meters in height. The leaves are trifoliate, similar to those of other legumes such as clover and alfalfa. The flowers are small and arranged in spike-like clusters.

Uses

Sweet clover has a variety of uses. It is often grown as a forage crop for livestock, as it is high in protein and other nutrients. It is also used as a green manure, as it can fix nitrogen from the air and improve soil fertility. In addition, sweet clover is used in beekeeping, as its flowers are a good source of nectar.

Sweet clover has also been used in herbal medicine. The plant contains a compound called coumarin, which has a sweet smell and is used in the manufacture of certain perfumes and flavorings. However, coumarin can be toxic in large amounts, and sweet clover can cause bleeding disease in livestock if not properly managed.

Cultivation

Sweet clover is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in areas with low rainfall. Sweet clover is often used in crop rotation systems, as it can improve soil fertility and suppress weeds.

Species

There are several species of sweet clover, including:

• Melilotus albus (white sweet clover)
• Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweet clover)
• Melilotus indicus (Indian sweet clover)

See also

• List of plants in the family Fabaceae
• List of forage crops

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