Melilotus officinalis is a very similar species; it has smaller flowers, for which the keel petal is shorter then the others, and hairless rather than hairy pods.
Common name:
Tall melilot
Family:
Scientific name:
Melilotus altissimus
Main flower color:
Range:
Mostly in south Wales and west/central England
Height:
Up to 120 cm
Habitat:
Grassland, hedges, open woodland, verges
Flowers:
Pendant, in an elongated cluster; a green, sparsely hairy calyx divided a little less than half way into narrow teeth, and a yellow corolla with banner, keel and wing petals all equal in length
Fruit:
Short hairy pods, with a netted surface; green ageing to black
Leaves:
Trifoliate; a terminal leaflet and a pair of short-stalked lateral leaflets. Leaflets have a few teeth along the margin, and a prominent midvein
Season:
June to August
Rarity:
★★★★★
