Melilotus_altissimus - Thuill.

Common Name

Tall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetclover

Family

Fabaceae

USDA hardiness

Coming soon

Known Hazards

Dried leaves can be toxic though the fresh leaves are quite safe[76]. (This is possibly 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

Waste places and woods, avoiding acid soils[17].

Range

Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(1 of 5)

Weed Potential

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Melilotus_altissimus is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. macrorrhiza. Pers. M. officinalis. non (L.)Pall.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves and seedpods - cooked as a 'bean soup'[8]. Young shoots - cooked[8, 177, 183]. Also used as a flavouring[46]. Only eat the fresh plant, it becomes toxic if it is dried[62].

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

The dried plant is used as a moth repellent[53].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Dislikes shade. 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].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Moldova, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Melilotus altissimus	Tall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetclover	Biennial/Perennial	1.2	0-0		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	1

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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