SWEET CLOVER FLOW

The White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba) accounts for the last significant honey flow in SE Minnesota.  While considered "invasive" along with its slightly earlier blooming cousin, Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis), these tall clover plants were introduced to North America by Europeans about the time honey bees were introduced (1600's).  Today, with the loss of natural habitat they are key to a successful honey crop for beekeepers.