Herbs annual, (10–)15–60 cm. Stems erect or ascending. Leaves: stipules lanceolate-subulate to setaceous, (3–)4–6(–8) mm, margins subentire (entire or toothed at base); leaflet blades lanceolate-oblong, oblanceolate, or obovate, (8–)12–25 × (2–)7–10 mm, margins dentate. Racemes 10–50-flowered. Pedicels 1 mm. Flowers 1.5–3 mm; corolla yellow; ovary glabrous. Legumes subglobose, 1.5–3(–4) mm, strongly reticulate-veined, glabrous. Seeds 1 (or 2), ovoid, 1.8–2.3 mm. 2n = 16 [18 (Asia)].

Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Waste places, roadsides, grass­lands.
Elevation: 0–2000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Greenland, N.S., Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Del., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ky., La., Maine, Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Okla., Oreg., Pa., S.C., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., Wis., Europe, Asia, Africa, introduced also in Mexico, Central America (Honduras), South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile), Pacific Islands (New Zealand).

Discussion

Melilotus indicus occasionally has been grown as a forage crop in the southern United States; it is generally considered to be an undesirable weed.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.