Annual Yellow Sweetclover

Melilotus indicus

Physical Characteristics

Melilotus indicus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to October. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[105].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Anticoagulant Astringent Emollient Laxative Narcotic Poultice The seed is made into a gruel and used in the treatment of bowel complaints and infantile diarrhoea[218, 240]. The plant is discutient, emollient, astringent, strongly laxative and narcotic[218, 240, 257]. It is used externally as a poultice or plaster on swellings[218, 240]. The plant contains coumarin, which is an anticoagulant[218]. The plant also contains dicumarol, which is a broad spectrum bactericide[218].

Known Hazards

The dried leaves can be toxic, though the fresh leaves are quite safe[76, 218]. This is 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.