Melilotus sp.
Sweetclover, Sweetclover
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Melilotus sp. (Sweetclover) is a non-native California annual in the Fabaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Melilotus sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Melilotus sp. belong to?
Melilotus sp. is in the Fabaceae family, genus Melilotus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.