Melilotus alba, Melilotus officinalis
Fabaceae (legume family)
Location: Forages
Description: There are several sweet clovers. Some are annuals and others biennials. Erect plants, 30‐180 cm (2‐6 ft.) tall. Adapted to wide of soils, but requires a pH of 6.5 or higher. Very winter-hardy and more drought-resistant than alfalfa, but yields are low. Upon fermentation, potentially toxic levels of coumarin form — the blood thinning active ingredient in Warfarin (rat poison) and Dicoumerol (drug for heart attack patients). Sweet clovers are grown for green manure but to a limited extent otherwise.