Sandbanks Draft Veg Mgmt Plan - Ontario Parks

APPENDIX E – Invasive Species Information Sheets
White Sweet Clover
Pea Family
Melilotus alba
Fabaceae
Alternate Common Name(s)
N/A
Distribution
Native to Eurasia, White Sweet Clover was first introduced in the 1600’s and later became a
valuable forage crop and soil nutrient builder. It is also an import species for honey farmer,
the genus name coming from the Greek word meli which means honey. It is distributed
throughout temperate North America.
In SEZ parks, White Sweet Clover occurs in most parks, but is considered a concern due to
its invasiveness into significant habitat in Sandbanks and Peter’s Woods.
Biology and Ecology
General Description: White Sweet Clover can grow up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in height and
have alternately arranged leaves with finely toothed leaf margins. Flowers are white in
colour and are arranged in clusters on a central stem.
Leaves: alternate, compound, trifoliolate, finely toothed leaf margins, 4 to 5 mm long,
smooth or few sparse hairs on leaf bottom, leafstalk up to 2 mm long on lateral leaflet and 5
to 6 mm on terminal leaflet.
Flowers: late spring to fall with white petals in long, slender and spike-like clusters.
Seeds: Annual to biennial, egg shaped. A single plant can produce 14K to 350K
seeds/plant and seeds can remain in seed bank for decades before germinating.
Similar Species
M. officinalis (Yellow Sweet Clover) looks much like M. alba however M. officinalis has
yellow flowers and flowers earlier in season.
Habitat: Broad range of habitat types and is capable of withstanding sever drought and
cold conditions. Commonly found in abandoned fields and along roadsides with direct or
partial sunlight. Also occurs in lowland sites of mountain brush and aspen woodlands.
Gravel to sandy soils that are calcareous though highest abundances occur on rich loams
and clay loams.
Dispersal: Can travel short distances by wind and large distances can be facilitated
through water movement.
Potential Threat to Native Flora and Fauna
White Sweet Clover readily invades open areas. Their size, growth rate and ability to
withstand a wide variety of environmental conditions allow them to restrict a wide variety of
species. They are most problematic in prairies, alvars, natural meadows, and savannas
(Cole, 1991b; botanist survey).
Control Strategies
Sandbanks Vegetation Management Plan A-12
Ontario Parks, SE Zone
2009