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Melilotus albus

Medik. (1787)

This name is accepted

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

white sweet clover

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Annual or short-lived perennial herbs.

Stems: Stems erect, 3–15(–30) dm long.

Roots: Taprooted.

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaflets elliptic to obovate, 10–30(–40) mm long, 5–20 mm wide. Margins serrate in upper part. Petiolate. Stipules lanceolate, not widened at base, margins not dry and membranous.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary, spike-like racemes, 4–15 cm long. Flowers papilionaceous; bracteoles absent. Calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, the teeth subequal. Corolla white, 4–5 mm long, standard and wings equal in length, longer than the keel, deciduous. Stamens 10; upper staminal filament distinct, the other 9 connate into a tube. Ovary superior; ovules few; style 1, apical, 1.7–2.3 mm long.

Fruit: Pods straight; pale to dark brown at maturity; 3–4(–5) mm long; strongly reticulate–veined. Seeds usually 1.

Ploidy: 2n = 16; 24; 32; 36; 64

Habitat: Uncommon in disturbed sites.

Elevation Range: 5–1,340 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Vorles. Churpfälz. Phys.-Ökon. Ges. 2: 382 (1787)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:686 (Mi, H [as M. alba]); Wagner & Herbst 1995:20 (EM); Shannon & Wagner 1996:14 (Mo); Oppenheimer 2004:12 (WM); Starr & Starr 2008 (Mi†, 1999); IPNI 2025 (spelling change to albus); Degener 11095 US (Mo†, 1928)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Melilotus albus East Maui, Haleakala National Park by propane tank at HQ. Preserved_Specimen Haus, B. Maui BISH 1996-05-29
2 Melilotus albus Saddle Road at Waikii Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 7159 Hawaii BISH 1987-06-28
3 Melilotus albus Hamakua Dist.; Pohakuloa Training Area, along Saddle Road Between the 30 & 45 mile markers & within 60' of road. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 60 Hawaii BISH 1990-12-13
4 Melilotus albus S. Kohala, Nohonaohae cinder cone Collected on slopes, also seen in pasture. Preserved_Specimen Common herb or small shrub with white flowers. Cuddihy, L.W. 245 Hawaii BISH 1980-03-20
5 Melilotus albus West Maui, Wailuku District, Wailuku... in waste area near golf course naturalized in sandy soil, in waste area near golf course Preserved_Specimen flowers white and fragrant. Oppenheimer, H.L. 110203 Maui BISH 2002-11-04
6 Melilotus albus East Maui, along Kula Highway Roadside Preserved_Specimen An uncommon weed. Hobdy, R.W. 2830 Maui BISH 1987-06-05
7 Melilotus albus S. Kohala District, Nohohaohae cinder cone Fairly common in pature, also grows on pu`u. Preserved_Specimen Creeping plnat or small shrub. Flowers white. Cuddihy, L.W. 230 Hawaii BISH 1980-03-19
8 Melilotus albus Along Saddle Rd, near Waikii Preserved_Specimen Upright, branching shrub 1 m high; flowers white, fragrant, not exceeding 5 mm in length. Nagata, K.M. 2645 Hawaii BISH 1983-04-02
9 Melilotus albus Jct. Kula Highway (37 & 377), Kula Preserved_Specimen Large plant 8 ft. tall. Flowers white and very sweet scented. Hobdy, R.W. 473 Maui BISH 1979-04-04
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