Melilotus altissimus

The High sweet clover ( Melilotus altissimus, Syn Melilotus altissima ) is a scattered in Central Europe occurring Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) of the genus Melilotus.

Description

The High clover is a biennial plant. The growing herbaceous, branched stem is erect or arching, ascending and usually reaches a height of from 60 to 125 cm. The deciduous leaves are obovate to oblong - wedge-shaped and serrated on the edge. The stipules are entire or - provided with a tooth - in the middle and lower.

The flowers grow in two to six inches high grapes. The crown is yellow, five to eight mm in length, wherein the vane and the boat are approximately as long as the flag. The sleeve is ovate, short acuminate and more or less annoying network. It is short pubescent and usually contains two to three seeds.

The High clover blooms mainly in the months of July to September.

Occurrence and distribution

The species grows in rubble weed societies, on salt marshes and bank companies. It prefers lime - and nitrogen-containing, often saline, alternating wet soils. Melilotus altissimus comes from temperate Europe prior to Siberia, the Altai and Japan. He is a Eurasian- continental Florenelement.

In Germany, the High clover grows scattered, but is also widespread area as before. In Austria, the species is considered "at risk " and is scattered to find very rare, while it is widespread in Switzerland right.

Similar Species

The High clover can be easily confused with the ordinary sweet clover ( Melilotus officinalis). However, this has bare fruit and one small boat, which is significantly shorter than the wings in general.