Melilotus indicus (L.) All.
Vernacular name: Indian sweetclover (Hindi: मधुयस्ती)
Species Name: Melilotus indicus (L.) All.
Family: Fabaceae
Habit: Annual erect herb
Stem: Branched, cylindrical 20–100 cm tall, glabrous to sparsely hairy.
Leaf: Trifoliate, alternate; leaflets obovate–oblanceolate 1–2.5 × 0.5–1.5 cm, sharply dentate in upper half, sweet coumarin scent when crushed.
Flowering: Spring–summer.
Flowers: Dense axillary racemes 1–3 cm, 10–40 yellow flowers; calyx 5-toothed; 5 small corolla petals (standard 2–3 mm); 10 diadelphous stamens (anthers uniform); superior, 1-locular ovary.
Fruit: Ovoid indehiscent pod 1.5–3 mm, with 4–8 seeds, reticulate surface.
Uses:
- Green manure, forage, honey plant
- Anti-inflammatory properties.
- Nitrogen-fixing soil improver.
- Coumarin-rich herbage for tea, perfume.
- Ancient fodder crop; weedy self-sower; sweet hay scent.
