34 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



and "poverty grass" allude to the habit this plant has of grow- 

 ing in sterile soil. "Bottle grass", however, is a puzzle. 

 TrifoUuni pratense is the "red clover", also from the shape 

 of its leaves "broadj leaved clover", and from its abundant 

 nectar, "honeysuckle clover", "suckles" and "sugar plums". 

 "Marl grass" probably refers to the fact that this plant re- 

 fuses to grow in soils deficient in lime, and "cow grass" in- 

 dicates its use as pasturage. Incidentally one notes that in the 

 minds of the uneducated, any plant is grass. TrifoUum me- 

 dium, a species greatly resembling the red clover, is known as 

 "zig-zag clover" probably from its flexuous stems. In culti- 

 vation it is called "mammoth clover". Being so much like 

 the red clover, it naturally shares its common names. In ad- 

 dition it is sometimes called "pea-vine clover." Another red 

 clover, not to be confused with either of the foregoing, is the 

 "crimson clover" {T. incarnatum) . The name of "Italian 

 clover" given to the latter plant refers to its place of origin 

 while "carnation clover" is manifestlv an attempt bv some 

 obtuse individual, to pronounce the specific name, just as 

 "Napoleons" is a similar attempt at the generic name. 



Trifoliuin hyhridiim is the "Alsike clover" or "Swedish 

 clover", so named because it was common in the parish of 

 Alsike near Upsala, Sweden. "Alsatian clover" is another 

 rendition of Alsike and does not refer to Alsace. The plant 

 has somewhat the appearance of a hybrid betw-een the red 

 and white clovers which fact is reflected in the specific name 

 and in the common name of "hyl^rid clover." The "Buiifalo 

 clover" is a native of the western plains and its vernacular 

 name is almost a foregone conclusion. Our common species 

 of "'vellow hop clover" (Trifoliuin agrariuui) is also known 

 as "hop trefoil," "yellow clover" and "hop clover." After the 

 blooming season the flower-head dries into an object much re- 



