Melilótus álbus is a one – and two - Year-old herbaceous plant. Species of the genus Melilotus, of the Legume family.
White clover is an excellent honey plant. It reaches a height of 2 meters, the flowers are white. Donnik is not demanding of the soil. The plant is drought-resistant. Does not like wet and acidified soil. Blooms from may to August. The duration of flowering is 45-60 days.
Nectar is released in both wet and dry weather, which allows the bees to work throughout the day. During the day, during hot hours, the plant secretes more nectar and a lot of coumarin, so bees are most active during these hours.
The honey productivity of white clover is 120-270 kg/ha, and in the South of Russia and in the Central black earth zone 300 – 470 kg/ha.
Sweet clover honey is first-class. It has high medicinal and nutritional properties, as well as a wonderful aroma. Honey is white and has a vanilla flavor.
Seeds are subject to scarification (scratching on the seed coat) before sowing, since the seeds have a hard shell.
White clover is best sown in early spring or late autumn, but so that it does not have time to germinate before the onset of winter.