Herbs annual, 10–70 cm. Stems erect or ascending. Leaves: stip­ules ovate-acuminate or subu­late, 5–10 mm, margins dentate (mostly at base); leaflet blades obovate, oblanceolate, or oblong-cuneate, 10–25 × 5–12 mm, margins dentate. Racemes (5–)8–20(–50)-flowered. Pedicels 1–2 mm. Flowers (2.5–)3–4(–8) mm; corolla yellow; ovary glabrous. Legumes globose or ovoid, (2–)3–4(–5.5) mm, concentrically striate-veined, glabrous. Seeds 1(or 2), oblong-subglobose or ovoid, (2–)2.5–3(–3.5) mm. 2n = 16 [Eurasia].

Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Ruderal areas.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Ala., N.J., Pa., Europe, Asia, Africa.

Discussion

In Europe, Melilotus sulcatus appears to intergrade or at least hybridize with M. infestus Gussone [M. sulcatus subsp. infestus (Gussone) Bonnier & Layens] and M. segetalis (Brotero) Seringe [M. sulcatus subsp. segetalis (Brotero) P. Fournier].

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.