162 LEGUMINOS^;. 



the lower ones often inversely heart-shaped ; stipules 

 half-arrow-shaped, toothed at the base, marked with a 

 sunken dark spot ; seeds smooth. Fields ; common. 

 This species, being extensively cultivated as fodder for 

 cattle, varies considerably in luxuriance, according to 

 soil. It usually grows about 2 feet high, and bears 

 blue and purple or red flowers. A small variety, V. an- 

 gustifolia (Narrow-leaved Vetch), by some botanists 

 considered a distinct species, has very narrow leaves, and 

 crimson flowers. Fl. June, July. Annual. 



5. V. lathyroides (Spring Vetch). Flowers solitary, 

 sessile ; legumes smooth ; leaflets in 2 3 pairs ; stipules 

 entire, not marked with a dark spot ; seeds nearly 

 cubical, roughish. Dry places, but not very common. 

 Nearly allied to the last, but very much smaller, 

 rarely exceeding 6 inches in length. Fl. bright purple, 

 April, May. Annual. 



6. V. lutea (Rough-podded Yellow Vetch). Flowers 

 solitary, sessile ; legumes hairy ; stipules marked with 

 a deep red blotch. Sea-coast ; rare. About 2 feet high, 

 with pale yellow, rather large flowers. Fl. June, July. 

 Perennial. 



7. V. sepium (Bush Vetch). Flowers in axillary 

 clusters of from 4 6 ; legumes smooth ; leaflets egg- 

 shaped, obtuse, gradually decreasing in size towards 

 the end of the leaf-stalk. Woods and shady hedges ; 

 common. Distinguished by its clusters of bluish purple 

 flowers, which grow on short stalks in the axils of the 

 leaves. FL May, June. Perennial. 



*** Floiver -stalks elongated; few flowered; style, 

 downy all round. 



8. V. hirsuta (Hairy Vetch, or Tare). Flowers about 

 6 together ; legumes hairy, 2-seeded. Fields and 

 hedges ; very common. A slender, much-branched 

 plant, forming tangled masses of stems and leaves, with 

 minute bluish white flowers. This, though a mis- 

 chievous weed, is not the Tare of the Holy Scriptures 



