Melilotus wolgicus
Encycl., suppl. 3: 648. 1814. (as wolgica)
Herbs biennial, 40–120(–150) cm. Stems erect. Leaves: stipules linear-setaceous or subulate, 6–8(–10) mm, margins entire; leaflet blades rhombic-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, or linear, 10–30 × 2–8 mm, margins dentate or entire. Racemes 25–60-flowered. Pedicels 2–4 mm. Flowers 3–3.5 mm; corolla white; ovary glabrous. Legumes obovoid, 4–5 mm, distinctly reticulate-veined, glabrous. Seeds usually 1 (or 2), oblong-ovoid, 2.5 mm. 2n = 16 [Eurasia].
Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Gravel pits, wasteland, drainage ditches, sandy banks.
Elevation: 200–500 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Man., Sask., Eurasia.
Discussion
The Manitoba vouchers of Melilotus wolgicus are mostly G. A. Stevenson collections at DAO from the Brandon area and are almost certainly established escapes from the extensive experimental cultivation of Melilotus species by Stevenson; it has also been observed persisting in the forage plot area of the Research Station, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but does not appear to have spread elsewhere.
Selected References
None.