How To Order: This species is sold in quantities of 3 lbs. If you order Qty: 1, you are ordering 3 lbs. Examples: 1 = 3 lbs, 25 = 75 bs.
Common Name: Yellow Blossom Sweetclover
Scientific Name: Melilotus officinalis
Native / Introduced: Introduced
Main Uses:
~In mixes for pasture and rangeland plantings
~Plantings for soil improvement
~Reclamation projects
Height: 2-3 feet
Colors: Yellow flower with green foliage
Flowering Season: Spring to summer
Elevation: Up to 8,500 ft
Soil Types: Adapted to most soils
Tolerances:
~Alkali and saline soil
~Poor soil conditions
~Drought and cold
Sun or Shade: Full sun
Minimum Precipitation: 10 - 12 inches
Lifecycle: Biennial
Planting Seed Rate: In mixes 0.25/acre
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 260,000 seeds
Optimal Planting Season: Spring, summer, fall
Planting Depth: 1/4 - 1/2 inches
Category: Legume
Description:
Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover, a biennial legume native to Eurasia, has the potential to reach a height of 5 feet, featuring numerous green branches that produce long, thin clusters of small yellow flowers. This legume possesses the ability to self-reseed under conditions where competition from other plants is not overwhelming.
Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover is commonly found in various habitats, including roadsides, riparian zones, and communities at low to middle elevations. Functioning as a nitrogen-fixing legume, it exhibits remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse soil conditions, ranging from strongly alkaline and saline to weakly acidic. Its tolerances include cold and drought, making it suitable for a wide range of environments.
Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover serves multiple purposes in agriculture and land management. Widely used in rangeland seedings, soil stabilization, and reclamation projects, as well as for pasture. It is recommended to plant it in a mix with other species in rangeland and pasture plantings, as it contains coumarin which when solely consumed by animals can be deadly.
Valuable for wildlife and livestock, this plant also acts as a pollinator. Its versatility extends to temporary pastures, hay cultivation, silage crops, and rapid ground cover on disturbed sites, contributing to range improvement projects.
NRCS Plant Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=MEOF
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_meof.pdf
Photo Credits: J. Gibson and Joshua Mayer
