White Sweet Clover

Melilotus alba

Weed Description
Biennial legume with compound leaves consisting of 3-leaflets (trifoliolate). Found throughout the Southern states in fields, roadsides, and waste places.

Leaves
Trifoliolate leaflets oblong or oblanceolate, 1-2.5 cm long, 8-12 mm wide. Leaflets without hair above and having appressed hairs below. Leaflet margins serrated halfway or more back from the apex.

Stems
Short-pubescent above, without hairs below.

Fruit
Legume, dark brown to black at maturity, ovoid, 2.5-4 mm long, without hairs, and cross-ribbed.

Roots
Small, white, arranged in many-flowered terminal and axillary racemes.

Identifying Characteristics
Trifoliate leaves with serrated margins halfway or often more back from the apex. White sweet clover is similar in appearance to yellow sweet clover, but has white flowers and net-veined pods.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

White Sweet Clover

Melilotus alba

Trouble identifying a weed?