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Melilotus indicus

(L.) All. (1785)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Melilotus

yellow sweet clover

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Annual herbs.

Stems: Stems erect or ascending, 1–5 dm long.

Roots: Taprooted.

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaflets oblong–elliptic, elliptic, or obovate (4–)15–20 mm long, (3–)7–10 mm wide. Margins serrate in upper part. Petiolate. Stipules lanceolate, widened at base and often with an additional lobe, margins dry and membranous.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary, spike-like racemes, 2.5–5 cm long. Flowers papilionaceous; bracteoles absent. Calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, the teeth subequal. Corolla yellow to pale yellow, 2–3 mm long, wings and keel equal in length, shorter than the standard, deciduous. Stamens 10; upper staminal filament distinct, the other 9 connate into a tube. Ovary superior; ovules few; style 1, apical, 0.7–1.2 mm long.

Fruit: Pods straight; pale gray when young; yellowish or reddish at maturity 1.5–2(–3) mm long; strongly reticulate–veined. Seeds usually 1.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Dry; disturbed areas; primarily along roadsides.

Elevation Range: 2–2,855 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Fl. Pedem. 1: 308 (1785)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:687 (Mi, K, O, M, H)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Lihue District: Niumalu Flat; Nawiliwili Bay along small boat harbor With Medicago polymorpha. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 2137 Kauai BISH 4/3/1987
2 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Parker Ranch, Puu Papapa Dry pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ewart III, G.R. 223 Hawaii BISH 4/26/1932
3 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kahuku; James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, in vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo Weed on dry ground on levee between ponds. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. 92-18 Oahu BISH 4/5/1992
4 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. growing next to kaluanui stream, approximately 1/2 mile from ocean PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 5/18/1978
5 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Midway Atoll PreservedSpecimen Meagher, V.J. Collector Number: s.n. Midway Atoll BISH Specimen 7/7/1933
6 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Honolulu, grounds of Bishop Museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Suehiro, A. s.n. Oahu BISH 4/18/1932
7 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. North Kona District: Puuanahulu AHU. Tr 43(47); between Mauna Loa & Hualalai; E. of Kipuka Kalawamauna Occasional-common; growing on `a`a substrate. Dry `ohi`a forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Warshauer, F.R. FRW 1886 Hawaii BISH 6/26/1978
8 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. behind kahuku village. koolauloa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. collector number: 2327 Lisianski BISH 6/6/1981
9 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kahuku cemetery Planted for ground cover & foliage. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ziegelbauer, k. collector number: 4 Oahu BISH 2/25/1975
10 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. recent landfill at new water holding/chlorination tank PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, R. 81-5 Maui BISH 10/28/1981
11 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Within gully east of Puu Heewai, S.Kohala Growing with Tagetes, Amaranthus, Gnaphalium sandwicensium, Lythrum, Pennisetum, Melinis, Eupatorium, Sophora, and Myrsine. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Clarke, G. Collector Number: 651 Hawaii BISH 12/3/1981
12 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. honolulu; grounds of bishop museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN suehiro, a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 6/1/1932
13 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. M.A., Co PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Borden, R. s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1936
14 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kahuku point, 1 mile e. along marconi road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN barta, j. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 6/1/1984
15 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Honolulu; grounds of Bishop Museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Suehiro, A. s.n. Oahu BISH 6/1/1932
16 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. parker ranch between saddle road and puu papapa Pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wagner, w.l. mill, s.w.; flynn, t.; gustafson, r.; davis, j. collector number: 5305 Hawaii BISH 2/29/1984
17 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. moanalua valley Sprawling over bank on side of road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: s.n. Maui BISH 4/6/1909
18 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. along cane fields near polihale state park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 799 Kauai BISH 3/13/1984
19 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Mamalahoa Highway between Saddle Road & Waikoloa Road Roadside through pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stemmermann, R.L. 7161 Hawaii BISH 6/28/1987
20 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kahuku; james campbell national wildlife refuge, in vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo Weed on dry ground on levee between ponds. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN imada, c.t. engilis, a.; dr.duk, mccafferty, t. collector number: 92-18 Oahu BISH 4/5/1992
21 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. u.h.campus, mauka field laboratory (dept. of agronomy and soils) A weed growing on a dirt pile in full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 2251 Oahu BISH 4/15/1986
22 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Along cane fields near Polihale State Park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 799 Kauai BISH 3/13/1984
23 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kawela Bay, Opana Land flat, weedy roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 9227 Oahu BISH 3/5/1933
24 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. recent landfill at new water holding/chlorination tank Shaded areas on forest floor with Athyrium, Cyrtandra, sedges, etc. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, r. collector number: 81-5 Molokai BISH 10/28/1981
25 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kamuela Planted pasture - med. rain PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ewart iii, g.r. collector number: 335 Hawaii BISH 3/3/1934
26 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. lihue district: niumalu flat; nawiliwili bay along small boat harbor With Medicago polymorpha. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. lorence, d. collector number: 2137 Kauai BISH 4/3/1987
27 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Waikii Edges of cornfields. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Judd Jr., A.F. s.n. Hawaii BISH 7/21/1926
28 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Along Saddle Road on Waimea side of Pohakuloa State Park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 5339 Hawaii BISH 5/20/1975
29 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kamuela Planted pasture - med. rain PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ewart III, G.R. 335 Hawaii BISH 3/3/1934
30 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Mauna Kea; Hale Pohaku; Area II Growing in shaded area under mamane trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Char, W.P. Char 85.018 Hawaii BISH 5/27/1985
31 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. along saddle road on waimea side of pohakuloa state park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 5339 Hawaii BISH 5/20/1975
32 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kaluinui Stream approximately 1/2 mile from ocean. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Carolyn Corn s.n. Oahu PTBG 5/18/1978
33 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 9227 LSU 3/5/1933
34 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Niumalu Flat; Nawiliwili Bay along small boat harbor. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 2137 Kauai PTBG 6/3/1987
35 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Along cane fields near Polihale State Park. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 799 Kauai PTBG 3/13/1984
36 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Schofield Barracks, Leilihua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hitchcock, A. S. 13942 Oahu US 7/5/2016
37 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kahuku point, 1 mile e. along marconi road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. barta s.n. Oahu US
38 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. schofield barracks, leilihua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. s. hitchcock 13942 Oahu US 7/5/1916
39 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Kahuku, in vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C. T.; Engilis, A.; Duk, T. 92-18 Oahu US 4/5/1992
40 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. mamalahoa highway between saddle road & waikoloa road Roadside through pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stemmermann, r.l. collector number: 7161 Hawaii BISH 6/28/1987
41 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kahuku Point, 1 mile E. along Marconi Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Barta, J. s.n. Oahu US 6/1/1984
42 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. james campbell national wildlife refuge, kahuku, in vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. imada, a. engilis & t. duk 92-18 Oahu US 4/5/1992
43 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. puuiki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. l. topping 11090 Oahu US 3/24/1937
44 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. m.a., co PRESERVED_SPECIMEN borden, r. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 3/6/1936
45 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Jct. 37 & 377 on Kula Highway PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hobdy, R.W. 472 Maui BISH 4/4/1979
46 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. U.H.Campus, Mauka Field Laboratory (Dept. of Agronomy and Soils) A weed growing on a dirt pile in full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 2251 Oahu BISH 4/15/1986
47 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kealapuale, kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 225.h Hawaii BISH 6/21/1911
48 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kealapuale, Kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 225.H Hawaii BISH 6/21/1911
49 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. waialua district: koolau mts.; kawailoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. collector number: 3250 BISH 6/5/1985
50 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Waialua District: Koolau Mts.; Kawailoa Along sugar cane fields. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 3250 Oahu BISH 6/5/1985
51 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Dillingham Field Found growing along the trail into the Fillingham Field wetland. Growing among such adventives as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Hyptis, Setaria verticillata and other weeks. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Funk, E.J. 1104 Oahu BISH 5/8/1990
52 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. mauna kea; hale pohaku; area ii Growing in shaded area under mamane trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN char, w.p. stemmermann, r.l. collector number: char 85.018 Hawaii BISH 5/27/1985
53 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. dillingham field Found growing along the trail into the Fillingham Field wetland. Growing among such adventives as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Hyptis, Setaria verticillata and other weeks. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN funk, e.j. lee, m.; b.ching collector number: 1104 Oahu BISH 5/8/1990
54 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Parker Ranch between Saddle Road and Puu Papapa Pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wagner, W.L. 5305 Hawaii BISH 2/29/1984
55 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. parker ranch, puu papapa Dry pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ewart iii, g.r. collector number: 223 Hawaii BISH 4/26/1932
56 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Kahului Industrial Area. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H10115 Maui PTBG 1/7/2001
57 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Puuiki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Topping, D. L. 11090 Oahu US 3/24/1937
58 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Within gully east of Puu Heewai, S.Kohala Growing with Tagetes, Amaranthus, Gnaphalium sandwicensium, Lythrum, Pennisetum, Melinis, Eupatorium, Sophora, and Myrsine. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Clarke, G. 651 Hawaii BISH 12/3/1981
59 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. honolulu, grounds of bishop museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN suehiro, a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 4/18/1932
60 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. within gully east of puu heewai, s.kohala Growing with Tagetes, Amaranthus, Gnaphalium sandwicensium, Lythrum, Pennisetum, Melinis, Eupatorium, Sophora, and Myrsine. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN clarke, g. collector number: 651 Hawaii BISH 12/3/1981
61 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Growing next to Kaluanui Stream, approximately 1/2 mile from ocean PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. s.n. Oahu BISH 5/18/1978
62 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Behind Kahuku Village. Koolauloa Along roads in abandoned sugar cane fields. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 2327 Oahu BISH 6/6/1981
63 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. East Maui, Kula Highway Roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hobdy, R.W. 2831 Maui BISH 6/5/1987
64 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. north kona district: puuanahulu ahu. tr 43(47); between mauna loa & hualalai; e. of kipuka kalawamauna Occasional-common; growing on `a`a substrate. Dry `ohi`a forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN warshauer, f.r. mceldowney, p.h. collector number: frw 1886 Hawaii BISH 6/26/1978
65 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. jct. 37 & 377 on kula highway PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hobdy, r.w. collector number: 472 Maui BISH 4/4/1979
66 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. kawela bay, opana Land flat, weedy roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. collector number: 9227 Oahu BISH 3/5/1933
67 Melilotus indicus (L.) All. waikii Edges of cornfields. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN judd jr., a.f. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 7/21/1926
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