Tall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetclover

Melilotus altissimus

Physical Characteristics

Melilotus altissimus is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves and seedpods - cooked as a 'bean soup'[8]. Young shoots - cooked[8, 177, 183]. Also used as a flavouring[46]. Only eat the fresh plant, it becomes toxic if it is dried[62].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Dried leaves can be toxic though the fresh leaves are quite safe[76]. (This is possibly due to the presence of coumarin, the substance that gives some dried plants the smell of new mown hay. If taken internally it can prevent the blood from clotting.)