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Melilotus indicus - (L.)All.

Common Name Annual Yellow Sweetclover
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards The dried leaves can be toxic, though the fresh leaves are quite safe[76, 218]. This is due to the presence of coumarin, the substance that gives some dried plants the smell of new mown hay. If taken internally it can prevent the blood from clotting.
Habitats Fields and waste places in S. England and Wales[17].
Range Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Melilotus indicus Annual Yellow Sweetclover


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Melilotus indicus Annual Yellow Sweetclover
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Melilotus indicus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[105].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Anticoagulant  Astringent  Emollient  Laxative  Narcotic  Poultice

The seed is made into a gruel and used in the treatment of bowel complaints and infantile diarrhoea[218, 240]. The plant is discutient, emollient, astringent, strongly laxative and narcotic[218, 240, 257]. It is used externally as a poultice or plaster on swellings[218, 240]. The plant contains coumarin, which is an anticoagulant[218]. The plant also contains dicumarol, which is a broad spectrum bactericide[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fodder  Repellent

The leaves repel insects. They have been placed in beds to repel bedbugs[257].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Dislikes shade. This species is often cultivated as a fodder crop and cultivars low in coumarin have been developed[218]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring to mid-summer in situ[87]. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water will speed up the germination process, particularly in dry weather[K]. Germination will usually take place within 2 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Melilotus albusWhite MelilotAnnual/Biennial1.2 - FLMHNDM223
Melilotus altissimusTall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetcloverBiennial/Perennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNDM201
Melilotus elegansElegant sweetcloverAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHNDM10 
Melilotus officinalisMelilot, SweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM233
Melilotus suaveolensSweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM11 
Melilotus wolgicusSweetcloverBiennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(L.)All.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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