Melilotus indica Annual yellow sweetclover (Leguminosae)

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Melilotus indica
Annual yellow sweetclover
(1 Page of 5)

The Melilotus indica plant species is found in Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia. Naturalized in Britain. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Annual yellow sweetclover.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Melilotus indica
Common Name:  Annual yellow sweetclover
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  (L.)All.

Known Hazards:  The dried leaves can be toxic, though the fresh leaves are quite safe[76, 218]. This is due to the presence of coumarin, the substance that gives some dried plants the smell of new mown hay. If taken internally it can prevent the blood from clotting.

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Fields and waste places in S. England and Wales[17].

Medicinal Information: The seed is made into a gruel and used in the treatment of bowel complaints and infantile diarrhoea[218, 240]. The plant is discutient, emollient, astringent, strongly laxative and narcotic[218, 240, 257]. It is used externally as a poultice or plaster on swellings[218, 240]. The plant contains coumarin, which is an anticoagulant[218]. The plant also contains dicumarol, which is a broad spectrum bactericicde[218].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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