Flower ID: IMG_1010.JPG-07-07-2017 Flower name (scientific): Melilotus albus (syn. Melilotus alba) Medikus PY: 1787. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) mel-i-LOW-tus AL-bus Flower name (common): White Sweet Clover Family name (common): Pea (Bean or legume) Family name (scientific): Fabaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek meli for honey, and lotos (lotus) for herbaceous leguminous plants typically found in meadows. Specific epithet: Albus or alba, Latin for white. Common name origin: From the flower color, its value as a nectar source for bees, i.e. a honey plant, and its use as a fodder crop. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (0.3 to 0.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: White Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 24 to 96 inches (61 to 244 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound Size: Leaflets up to about 25 to 30 mm long and 8 to 17 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, trifoliate, leaflet, oblong or oblong-ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced, naturalized, ecologically invasive. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual or biennial. Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, prairies, meadows, sun, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Melilotus officinalis (Yellow Sweet Clover) is similar, except for the color of the flowers, which for this species are yellow. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.796883 Longitude: -91.502893 Altitude: 246.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na