Melilotus indicus (L.) All.

Erect or ascending annual up to 0.6 m high; stems ± glabrous or sparsely hairy in upper parts. Lvs usually ± glabrous, sometimes sparsely or moderately hairy particularly when young; petioles c. 5–25 mm long; leaflets elliptic to obovate, usually obtuse, sometimes slightly emarginate or acute, usually shortly mucronate, obtuse to cuneate at base, serrate, c. 6–25 mm long; stipules lanceolate, entire or obscurely dentate at base. Racemes slender, dense at flowering and sometimes at fruiting but often elongated up to 12 cm at fruiting; fls (10)-numerous. Peduncles usually > petioles. Calyx ± glabrous or sparsely hairy; calyx teeth > tube, subulate. Corolla yellow, becoming white with age, 2–3 mm long; wings ± = keel. Pod glabrous, reticulately veined, 2–3–(4) mm long, 1–2-seeded; seeds light brown, 1.5–2 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Jun.