Species Detail Forb

Flowers Willow Dells Tr - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Melilotus officinalis - sweetclover Synonyms: M. alba, M. arvensis, M. leucanthus, M. lutea, Medicago officinalis. Other Common Names: white sweetclover, yellow sweetclover Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Fabaceae
Flowers Willow Dells Tr - Sue Smith


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Flower close-up Willow Dells Tr Sue Smith	Trifoliate leaf Willow Dells Tr Sue Smith	Plant - summer Willow Dells Tr Sue Smith

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Biennial or annual Similar Species: Melilotus indica
General Desc: A tall, widely branched and leafy plant with tiny white or yellow pea flowers in numerous spikes. It grows from a long taproot.
Identification notes: Taprooted annual or biennial with short rhizomes. Stems erect; leaves alternate, short stemmed and pinnately compound with 3 oval leaflets. Flowers pea-like, tiny and white or yellow, borne on elongated stalks. Fruit is a plump ribbed pod.
Height: 2 to 10 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: A weed along roadsides, riverbanks and old fields where soil has been disturbed. It often forms dense patches. It grows in full sun or partial shade, but cannot tolerate dense shade. It prefers limestone and loamy soils.
Plant Communities: Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 8000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White or yellow Shape: Irregular in elongated clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jun - Oct
Description: Elongated flower clusters can be 1-1/2 to 5 inches long. Individual flowers are less than 1/4 inch long.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green, grayish-green Leaf Type: Compound Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Toothed Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves trifoliate (3 leaflets). Leaflets have hairs on their lower surface and are finely toothed.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Black
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Seed pods are 3/8 inch long and usually contain one seed.
Seed Notes: Seeds are egg-shaped, leathery, and wrinkled.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer