Plants are strictly vegetative in the first year and have a small, branched stem with clover-like leaves. Leaves are divided into three finely toothed leaflets, with the middle leaflet occurring on a distinct stalk. In the second year, plants may appear bushy, and grow from three to five feet in height. The flowers are packed densely on the top four inches of an elongated stem. Each small flower is attached to the stem by a minute stalk.
Sweet clovers are native to Europe and Asia.
They were brought to North America in the late 1600's as an agricultural crop for forage and honey production. These clovers also fix nitrogen, and thus became popular as soil enhancers. The chemical used in the production of the blood thinner Warfarin was first discovered in sweet clover. Due to the economic values of white and yellow sweet clover, these species will continue to be planted despite the problems they pose for land managers. Both species are found in all fifty states, although they are most frequently found in the states of the Upper Midwest and Great Plains.