Melilotus indicus
(Annual Sweet Clover)
Melilotus indicus, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 7853
Melilotus indicus, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 7855
Melilotus indicus, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 7863
Melilotus indicus, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 7861
| Scientific Name | Melilotus indicus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MEIN2 |
| Common Name | Annual Sweet Clover, Sour Clover, Alfalfilla | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 503741 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, ditches and fields. Plant: Annual with several erect to ascending stems up to 40 inches tall; stems are many-branched, and initially ridged and shiny. Leaves: Alternate, pinnately ternate leaves, the leaflets oblanceolate to obovate, 3/8 to 1-inch long; edges are serrate above the mid-point; upper surface is dull bluish-green and smooth, lower is lighter green with appressed hairs. Inflorescence: Racemes arising from axils and at the stem tips, with 10 to 60 small bright-yellow pea-like flowers, each about 1/8-inch long. Bloom Period: April to June. Fruit: Flattened, almost round pod, about 3/16-inch long and less than 1/8-inch across, tannish or reddish when mature. . References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason, "Vascular Plants of Williamson County" and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024