Annual yellow sweetclover
Melilotus indicus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is erect and without hairs. It grows 60 cm high. The leaves are alternate and made up of 3 leaflets. They are 12-30 mm long. The flowers are yellow and pea-like. They are 2 mm long. They are clustered on stalks which arise from the bases of the leaves. The fruit is a round, slightly wrinkled pod. It is 2-2.5 mm long by 1.5-1.7 mm wide. It is olive green. It has one seed. The plant has a sweet scent.

There are about 20 Melilotus species. They are temperate and subtropical.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean plant. It grows on sandy soils in damp sites. It can grow in alkaline soils. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Britain, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Easter Island, Europe, Finland, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Scandinavia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Don't use plants dried. The seeds are used to flavour biscuits.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds - flavour

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ban methi, Banamethika, Banmethi, Handagug, Hexham scent, Huring upu, Indian melilot, Jhir, King Island Melilot, Metha, Nefla, Nfal, Pe-yaing, Ran-methi, Senji, Small flowered melilot, Small melilot, Van-methica, Wawbhayr, Zir

Synonyms

Trifolium indica L.; Melilotus parviflora Desf.;