---
{
  "id": "white-sweetclover",
  "name": "White sweetclover",
  "scientific": "Melilotus albus",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "Moldy sweetclover hay can cause dangerous bleeding",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "Melilotus alba",
    "white sweet clover"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Older sources often spell the name Melilotus alba. This is not white clover (Trifolium repens). Sweetclover hay warnings are specific to the documented feed conditions, not a pet dose calculation.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "F-melilotus",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "White sweetclover: Moldy sweetclover hay can cause dangerous bleeding. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Identification",
      "sources": [
        "F-melilotus"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "F-melilotus"
      ],
      "scope": "Sweetclover group evidence",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "F-melilotus"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-5"
    },
    {
      "label": "Management & timing",
      "sources": [
        "F-melilotus"
      ],
      "scope": "Management synthesis",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-sweetclover-6"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-sweetclover-2"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-sweetclover-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "colorado_relevance": {
    "source_id": "C-floristic-2020",
    "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 63; Melilotus albus",
    "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.",
    "source_taxon": "Melilotus albus"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/white-sweetclover.md"
}
---

# White sweetclover

*Melilotus albus*

**Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **Moldy sweetclover hay can cause dangerous bleeding.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Older sources often spell the name Melilotus alba. This is not white clover (Trifolium repens). Sweetclover hay warnings are specific to the documented feed conditions, not a pet dose calculation.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Melilotus albus: Small white flowers on slender racemes above three-part leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-melilotus-albus-1.jpg)

**flowers and leaves** — Small white flowers on slender racemes above three-part leaves.

Photo: zebedeugalinha; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/258673179); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/464161778/original.jpeg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source. White flowers, three-part leaves and pods are shown; no yellow-flowered sweetclover was substituted. iNaturalist large server-resized photo; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Melilotus albus: Small oval green pods along slender branching stems.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-melilotus-albus-2.jpg)

**pods** — Small oval green pods along slender branching stems.

Photo: zebedeugalinha; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/258673179); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/464162009/original.jpeg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source. White flowers, three-part leaves and pods are shown; no yellow-flowered sweetclover was substituted. iNaturalist large server-resized photo; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Melilotus albus: A leafy shoot with three-part, toothed leaflets and narrow racemes of small white flowers.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-melilotus-albus-3.jpg)

**leafy flowering shoot** — A leafy shoot with three-part, toothed leaflets and narrow racemes of small white flowers.

Photo: zebedeugalinha; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/258673179); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/464162032/original.jpeg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source. White flowers, three-part leaves and pods are shown; no yellow-flowered sweetclover was substituted. iNaturalist large server-resized photo; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.


## Identification

Usually a tall biennial with three leaflets and long clusters of small white flowers. Fresh flowers distinguish it from yellow sweetclover; dried flowers may be misleading. [F-melilotus](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/melspp)

## People

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Other animals

Moldy or improperly cured sweetclover hay can cause impaired clotting and fatal bleeding. Diets dominated by sweetclover may also cause bloat. [F-melilotus](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/melspp)

*Evidence scope: Sweetclover group evidence.*

## Plants & habitat

A nonnative legume that supplies forage and pollinator resources but can spread into disturbed and natural vegetation. [F-melilotus](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/melspp)

## Management & timing

Prevent seed production where unwanted and monitor subsequent seedlings. Have suspect hay assessed before feeding. [F-melilotus](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/melspp)

*Evidence scope: Management synthesis.*

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **F-melilotus** — [White and yellow sweetclover](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/melspp), USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:26:14+00:00. Locator: Named species or genus; identification, distribution and hazard sections where available.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=white-sweetclover) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 63; Melilotus albus. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance.

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Older sources often spell the name Melilotus alba. This is not white clover (Trifolium repens). Sweetclover hay warnings are specific to the documented feed conditions, not a pet dose calculation.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| white-sweetclover-1 | Identification | Species-specific | F-melilotus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-sweetclover-2 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-sweetclover-3 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-sweetclover-4 | Other animals | Sweetclover group evidence | F-melilotus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-sweetclover-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | F-melilotus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-sweetclover-6 | Management & timing | Management synthesis | F-melilotus | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-sweetclover/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-sweetclover/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-sweetclover/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json