Small Melilot (Melilotus indicus) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,034 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Small Melilot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Small Melilot
Melilotus indicus, sometimes incorrectly written Melilotus indica, is a yellow-flowered herb native to northern Africa, Europe and Asia, but naturalized throughout the rest of the world.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Small Melilot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 780 | April | Mar–May |
| Texas | 155 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Mississippi | 39 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Arizona | 26 | March | Mar–May |
| Florida | 18 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Louisiana | 5 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Nevada | 5 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Small Melilot?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Small Melilot most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Mississippi.