Melilotus Albus, White Sweetclover

Melilotus albus is sometimes considered to be a variety of melilotus officinalis, the differences being white rather than yellow flowers, and fruits covered by broad, wavy ridges rather than narrow lines. Both species are non-native, originating in Asia and Europe.

Stems and leaves of melilotus albus may be glabrous or sparsely hairy. Leaflets are usually lined by small teeth, quite well-separated. Stems have faint, lengthwise grooves. Leaves grow on stalks up to 1 inch long, with a pair of stipules at the base. The lateral leaflets are sessile while the terminal leaflet itself has a short stalk.

The inflorescence is a narrow, elongated cluster, up to 6 inches long. Buds are pendent while the flowers are spreading when mature. The lobes of the light green calyx are shorter than the calyx tube. The banner petal is recurved by up to 90 degrees. The wing petals stay close together, partly obscuring the keel petals underneath. The fruit is a short, beaked pod, less than half an inch long.