White Sweet Clover (Note: This is a legume, not a grass)
Melilotus albus · Biennial; C3 pathway; Cool-season broadleaf legume
Grass Family
Fabaceae (Subfamily: Faboideae); Not a member of Poaceae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage, Pollinator Support, and Invasive Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Common White Sweet Clover (Wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9; extremely cold hardy during winter dormancy.
About This Grass
An upright, herbaceous biennial with trifoliate leaves and many-branched stems. In its second year, it produces numerous elongated racemes of small, white, pea-like flowers.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are trifoliate (not blades); leaflets are oblong to lanceolate, finely toothed along the margins, and alternate along the stem; color is dull green to bluish-green.
Root System
Strong, deep, woody taproot; highly effective at nitrogen fixation through symbiotic bacteria; does not form sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; widely naturalized throughout North America
Growth Habit
Erect, branching biennial with a deep taproot; grows up to 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; high drought tolerance once established; adaptable to many soil types including alkaline and poor soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not typically mown as turf; for forage, cut before flowering; for control, mowed frequently to prevent seed production; low maintenance/wild growth.
Special Characteristics
High nectar production for honeybees; salt tolerant; contains coumarin (which can become toxic dicoumarol if moldy/spoiled in hay).
Ecological Information
Introduced species; excellent pollinator value; improves soil nitrogen; can be highly invasive in native prairies and disturbed sites.