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].

General Uses: The leaves contain coumarin and they release the pleasant smell of newly mown hay when they are drying[238]. The leaves are dried and used as an insect repellent[169, 172], especially in order to repel moths from clothing[13, 100, 238]. They can be put in pillows, mattresses etc[178]. Poorly dried or fermented leaves produce a substance called dicoumarol. This is a potent anti-coagulant which is extremely poisonous in excess, it prevents the blood from coagulating and so it is possible to bleed to death from very small wounds. Dicoumarol is used in rat poisons[238]. The plant can be used as a green manure, enriching the soil with nitrogen as well a providing organic matter[238].

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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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