Melilotus

9.9

A plant like a clover with sweet flowers used to feed animals and improve soil

noun
/ˌmɛlɪˈloʊtəs/

Specialized

: meliloto

Several species of Melilotus are widely grown as cover crops to improve soil fertility.

Examples

Farmers commonly grow Melilotus for forage.
The distinctive fragrance of Melilotus makes it a popular choice for attracting bees.
Researchers studied the tolerance of Melilotus to saline soils in agricultural settings.
The Melilotus plant is often used for soil improvement.
Farmers commonly grow Melilotus for its ability to improve soil fertility and provide forage for livestock.
The leguminous plant Melilotus is often recommended for its benefits in enhancing soil quality.
In many agricultural systems, Melilotus is utilized as a cover crop to help restore nutrient levels in the soil.

Synonyms

sweet clover

vsMelilotus

1 4.7

A plant grown for hay that makes soil richer for other plants

is the scientific genus label for those cultivated forage and soil improvement plants

melilot

vsMelilotus

Specialized

1 9.9

A plant with small yellow flowers that farmers grow to feed animals and improve soil

is the genus term covering these plants cultivated for forage and soil improvement

Compounds

Melilotus alba

Specialized

9.9

A two-year plant with white flowers that bees visit and animals eat

Melilotus officinalis

Specialized

9.9

A plant with yellow flowers from Europe and Asia used to improve soil and give a mild sweet scent

Surface Forms

Melilotus singular

Melilotuses plural

Etymology

Melilotus comes from old Greek parts meli- meaning 'honey' and -lotus meaning 'plant', so it literally means 'honey plant'. That's why Melilotus is called sweet clover and has a sweet smell that attracts bees.