Yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis, Echter Steinklee) is a tall, fragrant, yellow-flowering legume commonly found in meadows, roadsides, and disturbed soils. Its trifoliate leaves and sweet-smelling blossoms are rich in coumarins, which give it a distinctive hay-like scent. Ecologically, Melilotus officinalis improves soil through nitrogen fixation, supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, and stabilizes soil with its deep roots. Medicinally, it has long been used for its anti-inflammatory and venous-supporting effects especially for chronic venous insufficiency, bruising, and lymphatic conditions. However, due to its coumarin content, careful preparation is essential to avoid blood-thinning effects.
The gnawed leaf at the bottom of the photo reminded me of the cartoon series from my childhood: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" 🐢😄

#sweetclover #wildflower #yellowflower #yellowsweetclover #melilotusofficinalis #echtersteinklee #steinklee #flower

#SweetClover in bloom at #TheodoreRooseveltNationalPark.

#landscape #trnp #southunit #northdakota

The cut, dried, and cured stuff doesn't fight back quite so much.
#alpacas #SweetClover