Melilotus albus
White sweetclover
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Melilotus albus (White sweetclover) is a non-native California annual in the Fabaceae family, recognized by white flowers diagnostic, plus size differences.
White sweetclover is a naturalized annual found in California in pastures and open disturbed sites at elevations up to 3,160 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers in slender inflorescences approximately 3 to 8 centimeters long. Growing with upright stems 0.5 to 2 meters tall that are nearly glabrous or slightly hairy, it has an open, branching habit. Its leaves feature elliptic-oblong to obovate leaflets 1 to 2.5 centimeters long with slightly toothed edges. The small fruit develops a distinctive network of fine lines, creating an intricate surface texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; white flowers diagnostic, plus size differences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally abundant. Pastures, open disturbed sites
Elevation: < 3160 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Orange, Imperial, Riverside, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Kern, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Yuba, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Yolo, San Benito, Fresno, Mendocino, Tuolumne, Tulare, Humboldt, Butte, Merced, Nevada, Mono, Monterey, Lake, San Mateo, Alameda, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Plumas, Sonoma, San Joaquin, Placer, El Dorado, Sutter, Alpine, Amador, Sacramento, Solano, Tehama, Modoc, Napa, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Trinity, Del Norte, Lassen, Shasta, Mariposa
Outside California: most of northern United States, adjacent Canada, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Melilotus albus blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Medicago: Melilotus fruits are egg-shaped with ridges; Medicago fruits are spirally coiled.; vs Trifolium: Melilotus flowers fall off after blooming; Trifolium flowers persist and enclose fruits.; vs Oxalis: Melilotus has pea-shaped flowers in spikes; wood-sorrels (Oxalis) have 5-petaled flowers in umbels.; vs Acmispon: Melilotus has toothed leaflets and ridged oval fruits; Acmispon has smooth leaflets and elongate pods.; vs Baccharis: Melilotus has compound leaves and pea flowers; Baccharis has simple leaves and brush-like composite flower heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melilotus albus native to California?
No. Melilotus albus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Melilotus albus bloom?
Melilotus albus blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Melilotus albus grow?
Melilotus albus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Orange, Imperial, Riverside, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 3160 m.
What plant family does Melilotus albus belong to?
Melilotus albus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Melilotus.
What habitat does Melilotus albus grow in?
Melilotus albus grows in Locally abundant. Pastures, open disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.