white sweetclover and yellow sweetclover
Melilotus albus; Melilotus officinalis                                       

Identifying Characteristics:

Seed: mitten shape with thumb ½ as long as mitten; size varies from 1.7 to 1.9 mm long and 1.0 to 1.3 mm wide; yellow to greenish orange in color; dark spot near hilum 

Seedling: pinnately compound leaves; 3 leaflets per leaf, but not a true trifoliate; oblong leaflets with serrations around entire leaf margin

Mature Plant: inflorescence arranged as a raceme with white or yellow flowers; small, papery stipules

Method of Propagation: seed

Life Cycle: cool-season biennial

Similar Species: alfalfa – compare inflorescence and leaf margins

References: Abaye, A. Ozzie. "Identification & Adaption: Common Grasses, Legumes & Non-leguminous Forbs of the Eastern United States."
Moore, Kenneth J. “Compendium of Common Forages.” From “Forages: An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture.”