Class XVII. Order IV. 



Stem angular, flexous. Leaves abruptly pinnate, the peti- 

 ole ending in a three-cleft tendril. Leafets ovate, obtuse, mu- 

 cronated, smooth, veiny. Stipules broad, half arrow shaped, 

 acuminate. Racemes on axillary stalks, consisting of large, el- 

 egant, purple floAvers. Found about the borders of marshes, 

 flowering in June. Perennial. 



210. TRIFOLIUM. 

 TRIFOLIUM ARVENSK. L. Field trefoil. 



Heads very hairy, cylindrical ; teeth of the ca- 

 lyx bristle shaped, longer than the corolla ; leafets 

 narrow-obovate. Sm. 



This annual species of trefoil is exceedingly common in 

 loads and dry fields, flourishing in the most barren and gravel- 

 ly soils. Stem erect, round, hairy, branching. Leaves on 

 short footstalks, consisting of three narrow, inversely ovate, 

 hairy leafets. The flowers grow in long, cylindrical heads, or 

 spikes ; the calyx teeth ending in feathery hairs, which project 

 "beyond the corolla, give the heads a downy and grayish appear- 

 anec. Pod very small, one seeded. July, August. 



TRIFOLIUM REPENS. L. White clover. 



Heads like umbels ; legumes four seeded ; 

 stems creeping. L. 



Common in pastures, flowering from May to September. 

 Root perennial. Stems spreading, leafy, smooth. Leaves on 

 long petioles ; leafets roundish, acute at their base, finely ser- 

 rate, commonly marked with a white, semicircular spot. Flow- 

 ers white, in a dense umbel, resembling a head ; corollas per- 

 sistent, enclosing the pod, which contains three or four seeJs. - 

 White clover increases rapidly, and resists drought. Cattle are 

 very fond of it, and it forms one of the best materials for feed in 

 pastures. 



