Pollinator plant

Yellow Sweetclover

Melilotus officinalis

Pollinator recipe
Sign in to use recipes

Common names

54 names · 38 languages
EnglishYour language
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (37)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
  • stinkklawer[3]
Arabic
  • إكليل الملك[3]
  • حندقوق اصفر[3]
  • حندقوق طبي[3]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • حندقوق مضلع[3]
Armenian
  • Իշառվույտ դեղատու[3]
Asturian
  • meliloto mariellu[3]
Azerbaijani
  • Dərman xəşənbülü[3]
  • Sarı yonca[3]
Basque
  • itsabalki arrunt[3]
Belarusian
  • Баркун лекавы або жоўты[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 黄花紫苜蓿[3]
  • 黄香草木樨[3]
  • 黄香草木犀[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 黃香草木樨[3]
Czech
  • komonice lékařská[3]
Danish
  • Mark-stenkløver[3]
Estonian
  • kollane mesikas[3]
Finnish
  • rohtomesikkä[3]
German
Hungarian
  • orvosi somkóró[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • シナガワハギ[3]
  • セイヨウエビラハギ[3]
Korean
  • 주름전동싸리[3]
Latvian
  • Ārstniecības amoliņš[3]
Lithuanian
  • Geltonžiedis barkūnas[3]
Mongolian
  • Эмт хошоон[3]
Norwegian
  • legesteinkløver[3]
Polish
  • Nostrzyk żółty[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Sulfină galbenă[3]
Russian
  • Донник лекарственный[3]
Serbian
  • Žuti kokotac[3]
  • Жути кокотац[3]
Slovak
  • komonica lekárska[3]
Slovenian
  • navadna medena detelja[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • gul sötväppling[3]
Turkish
  • kokulu yonca[3]
  • Sarıtaş Yoncası[3]
Ukrainian
  • Буркун жовтий[3]
  • Буркун лікарський[3]
Welsh
  • Yr wydro resog[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Melilotus officinalis — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Yellow Sweetclover — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Ribbed Melilot — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yellow Melilot — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Melilotus officinalis.
[2] Melilotus officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Yellow Sweetclover — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Gelber Steinklee — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Ribbed Melilot — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yellow Sweet Clover — results[1].names[7]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yellow Sweet-clover — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • meliloto amarillo — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Mélilot jaune — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Erba vetturina gialla — results[1].names[14]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Meliloto comune — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Akkerhoningklaver — results[1].names[44]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Citroengele honingklaver — results[1].names[27]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Meliloto — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
[3] Melilotus officinalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Yellow Sweetclover — results[17].names[1]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Gelber Steinklee — results[17].names[2]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Ribbed Melilot — results[17].names[10]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yellow Sweet Clover — results[17].names[7]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yellow Sweet-clover — results[17].names[30]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • meliloto amarillo — results[17].names[3]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Mélilot jaune — results[17].names[6]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Erba vetturina gialla — results[17].names[14]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Meliloto comune — results[17].names[13]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Akkerhoningklaver — results[17].names[44]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Citroengele honingklaver — results[17].names[27]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Meliloto — results[17].names[5]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Донник лекарственный — results[17].names[8]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • komonice lékařská — results[17].names[9]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Mark-stenkløver — results[17].names[11]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • legesteinkløver — results[17].names[12]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • rohtomesikkä — results[17].names[15]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Geltonžiedis barkūnas — results[17].names[16]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • حندقوق طبي — results[17].names[17]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • إكليل الملك — results[17].names[18]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • حندقوق مضلع — results[17].names[19]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • حندقوق اصفر — results[17].names[20]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • セイヨウエビラハギ — results[17].names[21]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • gul sötväppling — results[17].names[22]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • kollane mesikas — results[17].names[23]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • 黄香草木樨 — results[17].names[24]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • 黃香草木樨 — results[17].names[25]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • komonica lekárska — results[17].names[26]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • 黄花紫苜蓿 — results[17].names[28]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Իշառվույտ դեղատու — results[17].names[29]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Nostrzyk żółty — results[17].names[31]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • kokulu yonca — results[17].names[32]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Эмт хошоон — results[17].names[33]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • シナガワハギ — results[17].names[34]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Баркун лекавы або жоўты — results[17].names[36]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • itsabalki arrunt — results[17].names[37]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Dərman xəşənbülü — results[17].names[38]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • meliloto mariellu — results[17].names[39]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Sarı yonca — results[17].names[40]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Sulfină galbenă — results[17].names[41]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • stinkklawer — results[17].names[42]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Буркун лікарський — results[17].names[43]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • 주름전동싸리 — results[17].names[45]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • navadna medena detelja — results[17].names[46]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • orvosi somkóró — results[17].names[47]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Ārstniecības amoliņš — results[17].names[48]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • 黄香草木犀 — results[17].names[49]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Буркун жовтий — results[17].names[50]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • almegó — results[17].names[51]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Жути кокотац — results[17].names[52]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Žuti kokotac — results[17].names[53]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Sarıtaş Yoncası — results[17].names[54]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
  • Yr wydro resog — results[17].names[55]; taxon id 57066; Melilotus officinalis.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Melilotus officinalis is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.3–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect; Irregular; Multi-stemmed

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Eurasia

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from July to September.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Melilotus officinalis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 3800798; ID 9CTBZ; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 3800798; ID 9CTBZ; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Melilotus officinalis — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .