278 Class XVII. Order IV. 



296. TEPHROSIA. 

 TEPHROSIA VIRGINICA. Tephrosia. 



Erect, villous ; leafets numerous, oblong, acuminate ; 

 raceme terminal, short ; calyx woolly ; legumes retro- 

 falcate, villous. 



Syn. GALEGA VIRGINICA. L. 



The root of this plant is very long, slender and tough, whence 

 it has acquired the name of catgut. The whole plant is cover- 

 ed with a pale green down. Stem a foot high, round. Leaves 

 alternate, pinnate, with from eight to twelve pair of oblong, 

 mucronate leafets and an odd one. Flowers very beautiful in a 

 short terminal raceme. Calyx hairy, red, with very acute seg- 

 ments. Banner of the corolla whitish yellow, downy ; wings 

 red. keel whitish and red. Stamens in two sets. Stigma beard- 

 ed inside. Pods linear, crooked backward. A very handsome 

 plant, growing in bunches in the driest sandy woods. June, Ju- 

 ly. Perennial. 



297. MEDICAGO. 

 MEDICAGO LUPULINA. L. Nonesuch. 



Spikes ovate ; pods kidney shaped, veiny, rugged, 

 single seeded, stems procumbent. Sin. 



Occurs frequently by road sides, in pastures, &c. Stems 

 spreading, angular, leafy. Leaves resembling clover, but small- 

 er. Leafets obovate, finely toothed. Spikes or heads ovate, of 

 yellow flowers. The pods are black and rugged, with an evi- 

 dent spiral or cockle like structure, which characterizes the 

 genus. When cultivated it is said to form a valuable grass, 

 especially for sheep. In its wild state, however, its size is 

 rather insignificant. Flowers all summer. Biennial. 



