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Melilotus officinalis

(L.) Lam.

Sweetclover

GNRUnranked Found in 328 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
GNRUnrankedGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146387
Element CodePDFAB2H060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusMelilotus
Other Common Names
Mélilot jaune (FR) Yellow Sweetclover (EN) yellow sweetclover (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
This record is for the broad treatment of Melilotus officinalis, including M. albus as indistinct, as recognized in Kartesz (1994). Small in FNA (vol. 11) recognizes these as distinct species saying "Essentially all white-petaled Melilotus plants growing outside of cultivation in North America are M. albus; herbarium specimens often do not show the color well, sometimes resulting in misidentification, particularly between M. albus and M. officinalis...Although M. albus and M. officinalis are sometimes merged, there are very strong barriers to interbreeding between the two (G. T. Webster 1955; M. Maekawa et al. 1991), in addition to geographical and ecological differences, which justify their continued recognition as separate species."
Conservation Status
Change Date1994-03-22
Ecology & Habitat
Other Nations (2)
United StatesNNA
ProvinceRankNative
WyomingSNANo
ArizonaSNANo
MassachusettsSNANo
AlabamaSNANo
CaliforniaSNANo
NebraskaSNANo
TennesseeSNANo
NevadaSNANo
North DakotaSNANo
AlaskaSNANo
Rhode IslandSNANo
KansasSNANo
ArkansasSNANo
MinnesotaSNANo
New MexicoSNANo
GeorgiaSNANo
IdahoSNANo
New YorkSNANo
ConnecticutSNANo
KentuckySNANo
IndianaSNANo
West VirginiaSNANo
HawaiiSNANo
District of ColumbiaSNANo
New HampshireSNANo
WisconsinSNANo
VirginiaSNANo
MississippiSNANo
New JerseySNANo
UtahSNANo
MichiganSNANo
MarylandSNANo
OhioSNANo
MissouriSNANo
South DakotaSNANo
OregonSNANo
DelawareSNANo
OklahomaSNANo
TexasSNANo
VermontSNANo
North CarolinaSNANo
South CarolinaSNANo
ColoradoSNANo
LouisianaSNANo
PennsylvaniaSNANo
MontanaSNANo
MaineSNANo
FloridaSNANo
WashingtonSNANo
IowaSNANo
IllinoisSNANo
CanadaNNA
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaSNANo
SaskatchewanSNANo
OntarioSNANo
Island of NewfoundlandSNANo
New BrunswickSNANo
ManitobaSNANo
LabradorSNANo
Yukon TerritorySNANo
AlbertaSNANo
Prince Edward IslandSNANo
Nova ScotiaSNANo
Northwest TerritoriesSNANo
QuebecSNANo
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (328)
Arizona (14)
AreaForestAcres
Ash CreekPrescott National Forest7,663
Big RidgeKaibab National Forest9,087
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Black River CanyonApache-Sitgreaves National Forests11,817
BoulderTonto National Forest40,359
Burro CanyonKaibab National Forest19,928
Butterfly Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest42,296
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
CenterfireApache-Sitgreaves National Forests13,130
East Clear CreekCoconino National Forest1,613
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Oracle RoadlessCoronado National Forest22,365
Sierra Ancha Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest7,787
Walker MountainCoconino National Forest6,382
California (23)
AreaForestAcres
Barney RileyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,083
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest6,618
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Dobie FlatModoc National Forest15,079
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Iceberg - Silver Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest294
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mystic (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest836
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Silver HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,423
Slate CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest6,636
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
SoldierModoc National Forest10,102
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
Colorado (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Pagoda PeakRoutt NF57,676
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
San MiguelSan Juan NF64,263
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Idaho (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Montana (42)
AreaForestAcres
Anaconda HillHelena National Forest18,546
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Big BaldyLewis and Clark National Forest43,135
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Burnt MountainCuster National Forest10,698
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
CataractKootenai National Forest25,446
Chico PeakGallatin National Forest10,744
Coal Ridge Ra 1127Flathead National Forest15,429
Deadhorse Ridge Ra 1128Flathead National Forest23,648
Flagstaff Mountain #690Kootenai National Forest11,114
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Garfield MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest41,891
HolterHelena National Forest1,965
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
Lazyman GulchHelena National Forest11,614
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Middle Fork Judith WsaLewis and Clark National Forest81,131
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
Patricks Knob - North CutoffLolo National Forest16,970
Petty MountainLolo National Forest16,178
Proposed Line Creek PrnaCuster National Forest389
Red Lodge Creek HellroaringCuster National Forest17,210
Rock CreekCuster National Forest100
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
South Siegel - South CutoffLolo National Forest13,474
Specimen CreekHelena National Forest12,368
Sundance RidgeLolo National Forest7,558
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Nevada (21)
AreaForestAcres
Alta T - WestHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,445
Angel Peak NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,577
Angel Peak SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,540
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Bunker HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest27,569
Charleston - CarpenterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest17,828
Humboldt - Angel LkHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,008
Jarbidge - Pete BasinHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,247
Moriah - Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,582
Mystic (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,644
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Ruby - Secret Pk.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,749
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - HatcheryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,627
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
West SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,656
West Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,028
New Mexico (34)
AreaForestAcres
Arroyo de los FrijolesSanta Fe National Forest5,277
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Bull CanyonCarson National Forest11,512
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Chama WildernessSanta Fe National Forest1,295
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Comales CanyonCarson National Forest4,389
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Cruces BasinCarson National Forest5,244
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
El InviernoSanta Fe National Forest29,927
Frisco BoxGila National Forest38,979
GallinasSanta Fe National Forest13,208
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Grass MountainSanta Fe National Forest3,254
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Holy GhostSanta Fe National Forest2,352
Jacks CreekSanta Fe National Forest740
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
LemitasSanta Fe National Forest8,129
Little TesuqueSanta Fe National Forest815
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Pueblo MesaSanta Fe National Forest3,540
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
San Pedro ParksSanta Fe National Forest5,824
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
Wheeler Peak WildernessCarson National Forest2,677
YoungsvilleSanta Fe National Forest6,122
North Dakota (5)
AreaForestAcres
Long X DivideDakota Prairie Grasslands10,099
MagpieDakota Prairie Grasslands21,281
Ponderosa PineDakota Prairie Grasslands7,471
Tracy MountainDakota Prairie Grasslands9,756
WannaganDakota Prairie Grasslands6,026
Oregon (14)
AreaForestAcres
Brattain ButteFremont National Forest5,959
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Glacier MountainMalheur National Forest20,661
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
Joseph CanyonWallowa-Whitman National Forest24,288
Lord Flat Somers PointWallowa-Whitman National Forest67,738
Mountain SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,457
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
South Dakota (3)
AreaForestAcres
Cheyenne RiverBuffalo Gap National Grassland7,572
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Red ShirtBuffalo Gap National Grassland17,007
Tennessee (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (88)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
0401005Ashley National Forest38,930
0401006Ashley National Forest7,645
0401007Ashley National Forest16,483
0401008Ashley National Forest15,616
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
0401031Ashley National Forest7,110
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418001Uinta National Forest5,697
418006Uinta National Forest11,714
418007Uinta National Forest6,816
418008Uinta National Forest9,367
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418013Uinta National Forest14,643
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418015Uinta National Forest17,289
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418017Uinta National Forest19,631
418021Uinta National Forest6,255
418022Uinta National Forest17,289
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418026Uinta National Forest14,038
418027Uinta National Forest13,884
418028Uinta National Forest34,002
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
418043Uinta National Forest9,493
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Boulger - Black CanyonManti-Lasal National Forest23,286
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Capital ReefDixie National Forest763
Casto BluffDixie National Forest87,466
Cedar KnollManti-Lasal National Forest22,502
Clarkston Mtn.Caribou National Forest7,099
Clear CreekSawtooth National Forest7,188
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Dairy ForkManti-Lasal National Forest30,222
Dog ValleyFishlake National Forest11,810
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
GibsonWasatch-Cache National Forest5,350
Happy ValleyDixie National Forest14,458
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
Horse ValleyDixie National Forest13,624
Joe LottFishlake National Forest19,826
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Lava BedsDixie National Forest14,944
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Lookout PeakFishlake National Forest9,195
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Mcdonald BasinFishlake National Forest1,585
MogotsuDixie National Forest16,762
Moody WashDixie National Forest31,835
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Mt. Johns Peak - Mt AliceFishlake National Forest12,469
Muddy Creek - Nelson Mt.Manti-Lasal National Forest59,034
NoblettsWasatch-Cache National Forest3,116
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
North PavantFishlake National Forest53,262
PavantFishlake National Forest42,560
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Red Canyon NorthDixie National Forest9,973
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
Rock CanyonDixie National Forest16,457
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
Solomon BasinFishlake National Forest19,963
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Steves MountainFishlake National Forest22,649
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Swan Creek MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest9,390
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Thousand Lake MountainFishlake National Forest27,267
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Upper South ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest16,811
Wayne WonderlandFishlake National Forest12,395
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Virginia (12)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Saint Marys AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest1,454
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Washington (3)
AreaForestAcres
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
Willow SpringsUmatilla National Forest10,414
West Virginia (11)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Spice RunMonongahela National Forest6,251
Wyoming (37)
AreaForestAcres
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest16,837
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Gannett Hills - Spring CreekBridger-Teton National Forest45,462
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Lake Alice - Commissary RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest166,707
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Little Popo AgieShoshone National Forest8,333
Little SnakeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest9,920
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Mosquito Lake - Seven LakesBridger-Teton National Forest51,950
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
ReefShoshone National Forest16,817
Rock CreekBighorn National Forest48,657
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest105,570
South ForkShoshone National Forest64,903
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Sulphur CreekShoshone National Forest30,221
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
Trout CreekShoshone National Forest44,034
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
Wapiti Valley NorthShoshone National Forest18,345
Wapiti Valley SouthShoshone National Forest43,517
West DunoirShoshone National Forest2,542
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
Windy MountainShoshone National Forest31,283
References (2)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2023. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 11. Magnoliophyta: Fabaceae, parts 1+2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxvii + 1108 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.