Annual Yellow Sweetclover
Melilotus indicus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Greece, Guam, Gulf States, Hainan, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uzbekistan, Western Sahara, Yemen
Chris Light
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Melilotus
- Species:
- Melilotus indicus
- USDA Symbol:
- MEIN2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas and roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination; hard seed coat causes dormancy without treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI