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 Leaves Brigham Young University, S. L. Welsh Herbarium @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) |  Plant Desert Botanical Garden Herbarium, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial) | | | | |
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Origin:
Introduced
Life Cycle:
Annual Similar Species: Melilotus officinalis
General Desc:
Erect annual to 3 feet tall with smooth herbage or leaves; compound leaves, 3 leaflets similar to clover leaf, with sharp teeth on upper half; yellow flowers on elongated clusters, sparsely hairy when young.
Identification notes: Colonizes disturbed areas; <3 feet tall; stems; leaves not hairy; leaflets wedge-shaped to rounded; stipules narrow, tapering to fine points; young flower stems with sparse hairs pressed against the stem; elongated clusters of small yellow flowers.
Height:
3 feet
Habitat Description: Occasionally along roadsides, ditches, in fields, and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities:
Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 4500 feet
Color:
Yellow
Shape:
Irregular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Apr - Sep
Description:
Narrow, vertical, elongated clusters of several dozen flowers, clusters extend beyond leaves; 5 green sepals are partly fused, flowers have 5 yellow petals consisting of banner, wings and keels, upper banner petal curved back 45 degrees.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Compound
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Stems and leaves not hairy; compound leaves on slender stalks up to 2 inches long; 3 leaflets, leaves clover-like, narrow at base, round at tip, tend to fold up along axis and are often orientated upwards, at right angles to stalk, upper parts toothed.
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Fruits are egg-shaped pods, 1/16 inch long, smooth, reticulate (net-like veining), typically with 1 seed.
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