Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Fabaceae / Leguminosae ⟩ Melilotus officinalis / ribbed melilot

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.

ribbed melilot (Fabaceae / Leguminosae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadModerate tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Melilotus officinalis is a fairly common alien plant, especially in urban areas.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-23

 ribbed melilot / Melilotus officinalis: _Melilotus officinalis_ is a fairly common alien plant, especially in urban areas.

In Melilotus officinalis, the keel petal is shorter than the wings; in the similar Melilotus altissimus, they are all a similar length.

Reading (VC22: Berkshire); 2019-07-17

 ribbed melilot / Melilotus officinalis: In _Melilotus officinalis_, the keel petal is shorter than the wings; in the similar _Melilotus altissimus_, they are all a similar length.

Unlike the hairy, black pods of Melilotus altissimus, Melilotus officinalis has hairless pods that ripen to brown.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-12-19

 ribbed melilot / Melilotus officinalis: Unlike the hairy, black pods of _Melilotus altissimus_, _Melilotus officinalis_ has hairless pods that ripen to brown.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne