white sweet clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• honey clover
• white melilot
• white sweet-clover
• Bokhara-clover
• honey-clover

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Melilotus vulgaris var. minor
• Melilotus albus var. macrocarpus
• Melilotus albus f. prolifer
• Sertula alba
• Melilotus angulatus
• Melilotus argutus
• Melilotus vulgaris var. gigantea
• Trigonella alba
• Melilotus officinalis var. albus
• Melilotus kotschyi
• Melilotus officinalis var. vulgaris
• Melilotus leucanthus
• Melilotus albus var. argutus
• Melilotus strictus
• Melilotus tenellus
• Melilotus vulgaris
• Melilotus urbanii
• Medicago alba

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Melilotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the country of Denmark. In addition to this area, its distribution extends to the landscapes of Finland. The species is also well-documented across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range reaches the northernmost territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melilotus albus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations as high as 3000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to modified environments, frequently occupying anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) such as disturbed soils, roadsides, and agricultural lands. Its presence in these human-influenced habitats suggests a high tolerance for ecological disturbance and a capacity to colonize open, sun-exposed sites within various landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Melilotus albus is characterized by its classification as an annual lifecycle plant, meaning it completes its entire biological development from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its life form relies on the production of seeds to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, typically retreating into a dormant seed state during periods of stress. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its vegetative parts as it completes its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Melilotus albus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a terrestrial herb and forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a liana, vine, or climber, maintaining an erect shoot orientation throughout its development. The plant is an independent species, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2.5 m, with an average height of approximately 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melilotus albus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant possesses the specialized ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, facilitating growth in nutrient-poor soils. Its vegetative morphology features elliptic leaves that vary in size, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. Furthermore, the leaf width exhibits significant variability, measuring as narrow as 0.2 cm at its minimum and expanding to a maximum of 1.5 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melilotus albus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on bees and other insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant features white flowers that typically range in length from 0.25 cm to 0.4 cm. Its reproductive cycle is marked by a flowering period that begins in January and extends through September, though the timing can be variable. This species is a monocarp, and self-fertilization is noted as absent, necessitating external pollinators. Following successful pollination, the plant develops black, pod-type fruits that are dehiscent in nature. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.4 cm and a maximum width of 0.2 cm. The dispersal of the plant involves both anemochorous (wind) and autochorous (self-dispersing) syndromes. The resulting seeds are highly consistent in size, maintaining a mean and maximum length of 2.5 mm. The seed mass is quite light, with a mean of approximately 0.00223 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00137 g to a maximum of 0.0039 g. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0039 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00223369466666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00137 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Melilotus albus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Soyasapogenol B, dicumarol, luteolin.

coumarin

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
2. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. ACS omega

Soyasapogenol B

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

dicumarol

1. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne

luteolin

1. Journal of bacteriology

naringin

1. ACS omega

quercetin-3-O-glucuronic acid

1. ACS omega

Conditions

Melilotus albus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition