GRASSES OF IOWA 



461 



troublesome in both pastures and meadows. In the former it 

 may be removed by cutting the plant before it is mature. It 

 freqently causes injury to cattle, and even death. 



Sweet clover {Melilotus alba) is one of the most common, 

 weeds in some pastures of the state. It is a large, tall and 

 much branched annual with small white flowers. During the 

 time of flowering it is extremely fragrant. It is regarded by 

 bee keepers as a valuable honey plant, but for the north is not 



Fig. 218. Buffalo burr, iSolanum rostratumt. Occurring In alluvial bottoms 

 and In some meadows. (Dewey, Div. Bot. U. S. Dept. Agrl.) 



considered a valuable plant for forage purposes. In the south, 

 however, it is valuable for reclaiming waste land, as it grows 

 not only on rich soil, but thrives on the poorest kind of land. 

 Professor Tracy commends it as a soil renovator. Professor 

 Goif also recommends it as a soil renovator. In this state we 

 must regard it as a weed, in spite of the fact that the plant is 

 useful as a soil renovator as well as a honey plant. 



