Hedysarum, also known as sweetvetch or sweet clover, is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family. It comprises around 200 species of plants found all over the world. The word "hedysarum" comes from the Greek words hedyos (sweet) and saros (weed). Some synonyms for the word hedysarum include Melilotus, Trifolium, and Medicago. Melilotus is a genus of annual and perennial herbs in the legume family that is commonly known as sweet clover. Trifolium is a genus of plants in the pea family that includes species such as clovers and lucernes. Medicago is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family that includes the alfalfa.