Above image is in the public domain, because the copyright has expired.
Melilotus
officinalis, known as the yellow sweet clover, yellow melilot, ribbed melilotor common melilot is a species of legume native to Eurasia and introduced in North America, Africa and Australia. Although the plant is very
common in Western Canada, many people do not recognize it as clover or as a
legume.
Toxicology: Sweet clover contains coumarin
that converts to dicoumarol (a powerful anticoagulant toxin) when the
plant becomes mouldy. This can lead to bleeding diseases (internal haemorrhaging)
and death in cattle. Consequently, hay containing the plant must be properly
dried and cured, especially in wet environments.
Uses:
In the chemical industry, dicoumarol is
extracted from the plant to produce rodenticides.
Food:
This plant is mainly used for
agricultural purposes. It is grown as hay despite its toxic
properties when mouldy.
Sweet clover is a major source of nectar for
domestic honey bees.
Flowers and seeds can be used as flavouring.
Young leaves gathered before flowering can be
eaten raw.
Grows in disturbed sites.
Do not ingest mouldy plants, due to the presence of
dicoumarol, which is a powerful anti-coagulant.
©Al (Ales-Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment