LEGUMINOSAE 65 



Obs. This species though now so common is probably an intro- 

 duced plant. JONATHAN DICKINSON, writing from Philadelphia, in 

 1719, (fide WATSON'S Annals,) says, "the White Clover already tinges 

 the roads as a natural production." KALM, in 1748, spoke of it as 

 being abundant, in Eastern Pennsylvania. Its flowers are a favorite 

 resort of the Honey Bee; and the plant is esteemed, as affording 

 an excellent pasture, in this region, though Mr. ELLIOTT speaks 

 unfavorably of it, in the South. 



f 1 1 Florets subsesstte, finally reflexed ; corolla yellow, turning chestnut^brown with 

 age. Annuals. 



4. T. agrarium, L. Stem ascending, with erect branches; leaflets 

 obovate-oblong, all subsessile ; stipules linear-lanceolate, not ciliate ; 

 heads oval, on rather long peduncles. 



FIELD TRIFOLIUM. Yellow Clover. Hop Clover. 



Stem 6 to 12 or 15 inches long, hard, striate, pubescent with appressed hairs. 

 Leaflets half an inch to near fin inch long, often retuse ; common petioles % of an 

 inch to an inch in length. Heads of flowers on axillary peduncles, which are % 

 of an inch to an inch and a half in length ; florets finally imbricated downwards. 

 Legumes short, 1-seeded. 

 Ilab. Sandy grounds; roadsides, &c. Nat. of Europe; Fl. June. Fr. July* 



5. T. procumbens, K Stems mostly procumbent ; leaflets obcordate- 

 cuneate, the terminal one petiolulate ; stipules lance-ovate, ciliate ; 

 heads subglobose, small, on rather short slender peduncles. 

 PROCUMBENT TRIFOLIUM. Dwarf Yellow Clover. 



Stem 2 or 3 to 6 or 8 inches longj often diffusely branched at base, hairy or vil- 

 lous. Leaflets % to % an inch long ; common petioles % to near % an inch long. 

 Heads of flowers on hairy axillary peduncles which are % an inch to an inch in 

 length. Legumes 1-seeded. 

 Hob. Sandy soils; roadsides, &c. Nat. of Europe. Fl. May^ Fr. July. 



Obs. This, and the preceding, are both valueless species, which 

 are gradually extending themselves from our sea-ports to the inte- 

 rior of the country. 



1O1. MEL,H.O V TUS, Tournef. 



[Or. Meli, honey, and Lotus; a Lotus-like plant) attractive of Bees.] 

 Calyx as in Trifolium : Corolla deciduous. Legume longer than the 

 calyx, ovoid, coriaceous, rugose, 1- or few-seeded. Stipules seta- 

 ceous : flowers in long spicate racemes. 



1. M. LEUCXNTHA, Koch. Stem paniculately branched; leaflets 

 ovate-oblong, remotely dentate-serrate, emarginately truncate, mu- 

 cronate ; vexillum longer than the keel and wings. 

 WHITE-FLOWERED MELILOTUS. Tree Clover. Bokhara Clover. 



Biennial f smooth. Stem 3 to 5 or 6 feet high, stout, striate-ribbed. Leaflets an 

 inch to an inch and half long ; common petioles 1 to 2 inches long. Racemes 2 to 4 

 inches long, on axillary peduncles which are 1 to 2 inches in length. Flowers 

 white, retrorsely imbricated before opening. 

 Hab. Gardens, and lots. Nat. of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. This coarse, hard-stemmed plant, has been partially culti- 

 vated, by some amateur farmers ; but it is not likely to supersede 

 the herbs now in general use, as food for cattle. 



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