Exotic weed from Europe, presumably came over with hay. Likes open waste places and road sides. In Wildwood, occasional along the Riverway bikepath, especially near the North Bridge.

The height, habitat, and long spikes of white flowers are distinctive characters. Yellow sweet clover (M. officinalis) is very similar, except for the flower color; it has not been reported from the Park, but does occur in waste areas outside, so it would not be unexpected. White clover looks very different, being a low plant with flowers in a ball instead of a spike.