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Yellow Sweet Clover

Melilotus officinalis

Other Common Names

None for this invasive

Plant Category

Annual, Biennial

Invasive Description

Native to Eurasia, Yellow Sweet Clover is an annual or biennial that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has a deep taproot and extensive lateral roots. Stems are erect and give the plant a bushy appearance. Yellow, fragrant, pea-like flowers appear in a branched inflorescence at the tips of the flowering stems from April to September. The clover is often found in open, disturbed sites such as roadsides and old fields.

Ecological Threat

Yellow Sweet Clover was introduced into North America as a forage crop in the 1900s. It is a threat to recovering prairies because it easily invades open areas and may compete for resources with native species. It is an unwanted invader of rocky, open, calcareous glades and woodlands. It can degrade natural communities by overtopping and shading native sun-loving species. Fire stimulates germination of Yellow Sweet Clover seeds and can exacerbate invasions.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Native range grasses and forbs