M. Thulin (2006) Melilotus. Flora of Somalia 3: 577.
Plants annuals to short-lived perennial, fragrant herbs. Leaves pinnately compound with 3 leaflets; leaflets usually toothed. Inflorescences elongate, axillary racemes. Calyces 5-lobed, lobes subequal; corollas soon falling; stamens 10, the lower 9 united by their filaments, the top stamen free. Pods small, globose to obovoid, straight, indehiscent; seeds 1-2(-4).
Melilotus includes about 23 species. They are most abundant in the Mediterranean Region and Central Asia. One species, Melilotus indicus, as been found growing as a weed in Somaliland.
Note: GBIF records include introduced and cultivated plants. Consequently, the distribution shown often differs from statements about a taxon's native distribution.