186 



WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.). 



Description. — An upright, usually tall, fragrant annual or bien- 

 nial; leaves compound, leaflets obovate-oblong, obtuse, closely ser- 

 rate; flowers yellow, pod smooth, prominently cross-ribbed. The 

 M. indica also with yellow flowers has a gibbous and alveolate pod. 

 This has recently been introduced. 



Distribution. — Yellow sweet clover is also native to Europe. 

 Widely scattered throughout the United States, more abundant upon 

 the Pacific coast, in the Great Basin country and the Rocky moun- 

 tains. Not abundant in the northern Mississippi valley. More or 

 less frequent in many parts of Iowa, however, as in Humboldt and 

 parts of Greene and "Woodbury counties. 



Fig. 106. Yellow Sweet Clover {Melilotus officinalis). Roadsides, streets and 



some fields. 

 (Photographed by Colburn.) 



