Hexam Scent- introduced (*Melilotus indicus)

Family: Fabaceae (Pea family).

Native of the Mediterranean region and western Asia.

Occurrence: Waste areas and roadsides.

Identification:

• it has narrow, trifoliate (clover-like) leaves
• it has small (2 mm) yellow pea flowers in narrow clusters at the ends of the branches
• the flowering stalk lengthens as the fruit develops
• the pods are about 2 mm long.

Hexam Scent is coumarin-scented and taints the milk and meat of animals that graze it. Hexam Scent is an annual, growing to about half a metre high.

Photo 1: Hexam Scent, Main Road, Chewton. Note the clover-like leaves, the crowded flowers, and the elongated fruiting stalk.
2: Hexam Scent. Chewton, growing among other weeds.
3: Hexam Scent. Darling River, Menindee. 4: In the bed of Stephens Creek.