Yellow Sweet Clover, Melilotus officinalis, and White Sweet Clover, Melilotus albus

Sweet clover, genus Melilotus, is a group of some 23 species native to Eurasia, in the pea family, Fabaceae. Two of them, yellow sweet clover, Melilotus officinalis, and white sweet clover, Melilotus albus, are found all over North America. They are weedy and often quite aggressive, building up large populations quickly. But they add nitrogen to the soil, are good forage for livestock, are a source of honey for bees, and more. They have both supporters and detractors.

yellow sweet clover, Melilotus officinalis

white sweet clover Melilotus albus

Tallgrass Prairie in Spring

As winter ends, the tallgrass prairie is a chaotic place, the three-to-five foot grass stalks lying in a tangled mess. All is brown. There is little to see.

tallgrass prairie in April

Spring Wildflowers in a Minnesota Forest

The deciduous forests of eastern North America seem very dull as winter becomes spring. The snow vanishes to leave a layer of brown leaves under the leafless trees. 

central Minnesota forest in April

Nevertheless, as the temperatures warm, it is irresistable to wander outdoors in the forest.

And, then you spot a spring wildflower!

Can you see it? A pink flower (pink form of rue anemone,
Thalictrum thalictroides)

Parking Lot Edge Wildflowers, Estes Park, Colorado

Particular plant species generally have particular habitats where you will find them. Rainfall, temperature range, shade, soil characteristics and disturbance (level of trampling or grazing or similar effects) determining where a plant thrives and where it does not survive. Thus, if you go looking for flowers, which ones you find depends on where you walk. 

We tend to see the same ones over and over, because they grow well where people walk, liking the sunniness and not minding being stepped on sometimes. Conversely, hikers will likely see quite different plants when they get a mile into the wilderness area

Rocky Mountain forest wildflower
blanket flower, Gaillardia aristida