Genus CLADRASTIS, Raf. 



Leguminaceae. Decandria Monogynia. 



Svst. Nat. Syst. Lxtu 



Synonymes. 



Cladrastis, VirgiKa, Sophom, Of Authors. 



Derivations. The name Cladrastis. is derived from the Greek dados, a branch, aud rosso, to break in pieces, having refer- 

 ence to the britllenesa of the branches of this genus. It was called Virgilia by Lamarck, in honor of the poet Virdl, whose 

 " Georgics" entitle him to botanic commemoration. The name Sophora, was derived from the Arabic sophero, a papilionaceous 

 flowering tree. 



Generic Characters. Calyx protuberant, campanulate, unequally 5-lobed. Petals 5, unequal, unguiculate, 

 superior, larger obovate notched, 4-oblong, obtuse, subcordate at the base. Stamens 10, free, unequal, 

 filiform. Pistils stipitate, oblong. Style curved, compressed. Stigma acute. Legume stipitale, linear, 

 flat, membranaceous, 4 6-seeded. Leaves oddly pinnate. Flowers racemose without bracts. 



^HE genus Cladrastis embraces but one species, a native of the 

 United States. It was classed by Michaux among the African 

 Virgilias, from which it differs in having the calyx bilabiate, 

 two of the petals cariniform, the stigma obtuse, and the seeds 

 lenticular. To the same natural family belong the Spanish broom, 

 (Spartium junceum,) from the fibres of which a very good cloth 

 IS manufactured, in the south of Europe; the Laburnum, (Cytisus laburnum.) 

 so much admired in ornamental plantations; and the Furze, (Ulex europgea,) 

 celebrated among the classical ancients, and cultivated in modern times for 

 Hedges, fodder for cattle, underwood, and the protection of game. As a shelter 

 to young trees, furze is sometimes sown where acorns, beech, masts, or chesnuts 

 are to be sown, or where young trees are to be planted, in order to protect them 

 for a few years, till they are grown up, and have sufficient strength to shelter 

 >ne another, when they will overtop the furze, and destroy it. 



