Melilotus officinalis Melilot (Leguminosae)

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Melilotus officinalis
Melilot
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The Melilotus officinalis plant species is found in Europe to E. Asia. Naturalized in Britain. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Melilot. Some home gardeners know the variety as M. arvensis.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Melilotus officinalis
Common Name:  Melilot
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  (L.)Pall.

Known Hazards:  The dried leaves can be toxic. though the fresh leaves are quite safe to use. This is possibly 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 clotting.

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:  0.7

Habitat:  Grassy fields and roadsides, avoiding acid soils[17].

Edible Uses: Root[46, 105, 172]. Consumed as a food by the Kalmuks[183]. Young shoots - cooked. Used like asparagus[183]. Young leaves are eaten in salads[13]. The leaves and seedpods are cooked as a vegetable[8, 55, 172]. They are used as a flavouring[46]. Only fresh leaves should be used, see the notes above on toxicity[62]. The crushed dried leaves can be used as a vanilla flavouring in puddings, pastries etc[177, 183, 238]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked[172]. The flowers and seeds are used as a flavouring[2]. The flowers also give an aromatic quality to some tisanes[7].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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