LEGITMINOS^ 



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germinate the first season. This results from the production 



There are 15 to 20 species of sweet clover, natives of 

 Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are known by different 

 names, such as wild alfalfa, melilot, giant clover, Bokhara, 

 and sweet clover. 



Fig. 191. — Leaves and inflorescence of white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) on 

 left, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on right. 



The young plants resemble alfalfa, from which they can 

 be distinguished by the bitter taste of the foliage and the 

 thicker leaflets. 



Species of Melilotus. — There are two common species of 

 Melilotus: M. alba, white sweet clover, and M. officinalis, 



