Melilotus elegans
Salzm.
Elegant sweetclover
Ron Frumkin
Ron Frumkin
Ron Frumkin
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
Condiment. Leaves - cooked. The leaves are used as a flavouring.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Europe - Mediterranean.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Israel, Turkey (south) EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (e. & Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Egypt (northwest), Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia
How to Identify
Melilotus elegans is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and cannot be sure that it will succeed outdoors in Britain, but assume that it can be grown as a spring-sown annual. Dislikes shade. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring to mid-summer in situ. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water will speed up the germination process, particularly in dry weather. Germination will usually take place within 2 weeks.
Other Uses
The herb is sometimes used in hair pomades.
