Common Name: Sweet Clover

General Information

Melilotus suaveolens is an annual to biennial plant growing from a shot taproot. It produces several, erect, little-branched, thin stems 90 - 110cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

The plant contains coumarin, a substance produced by the plant because it acts as an appetite suppressant and gives some protection from grazing - it is also the compound that gives some dried plants the smell of new mown hay. Coumarin is found naturally in many fruits, including strawberries, black currants, apricots, and cherries; it also has some medicinal applications, though it is also known to be toxic, affecting especially the liver and kidneys. Coumarin is of relatively low toxicity to humans – indeed it has often been used as a flavouring and aromatic additive in foods and other commodities. However, it can be much more toxic to other species, especially rodents and specifically rats.
The fresh plant material, consumed in moderation, is generally safe. However, the dried plant material, especially if it is not dried properly and is invaded by fungi, is potentially much more toxic as the coumarin breaks down to form other compounds that can have a strongly anticoagulant effect upon the blood. Warfarin, a well-known anticoagulant drug and rat poison, is one of those compounds produced from coumarin.

Botanical References

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Range

Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and western Siberia, east through Mongolia and China to the Russian Far East, Japan, Korea, northern India

Habitat

Waste ground and fields in lowlands, C. and S. Japan[]. Along rivers, in fields, in meadows, and in sandy and saline soils up to the middle mountain zone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Melilotus suaveolens is a plant of the temperate zone, where it is found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 10 - 17°c, but can tolerate 5 - 24°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. Another report says that the plant is found in areas with a rigorous continental climate and severe winters and is very frost resistant[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 900mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,200mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating light shade[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, tolerating low fertility[]. Prefers a well-drained soil, but can tolerate occasional inundation of the soil[]. Tolerant of moderately saline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.6 - 7.5[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Young plant - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the whole plant is used to treat eye problems[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Bees are attracted to the large flowers, which are a good source of nectar for honey[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ[]. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water will speed up the germination process, particularly in dry weather[]. Germination will usually take place within 2 weeks.