LEGUMINOSJE. 265 



lanceolate, attenuated, ciliated, marescent : stipels minute 

 setaceous. Racemes terminal, very short, of a number of small 

 crowded purple flowers. Bracteas ovato-lanceolate, attenuated 

 at the apex, ciliated, with a pair of pedicels in the axilla of each. 

 Pedicels *- an inch in length, filiform, puberulous with minute 

 uncinate hairs. Calyx externally hirsute, 2- lipped : upper lip 

 bifid, with the divisions approximating ; lower lip 3-partite, 

 with the divisions lanceolato-subulate. Petals shorter than the 

 calyx ; standard obovate, rounded ; wings and keel clawed. 

 Stamens 9 and 1 ; anthers minute, globular, white. Ovary 

 linear, tereti-compressed, green, pubescent ; style longer than 

 the stamens ; stigma sub-capitate, excavated. Legume incurved 

 at the base, twisted at the joints, minutely puberulous ; joints 

 semi-orbiculate. Seeds subrotund, compressed. 



The calyx, as noticed above, is distinctly 2-lipped, with the 

 upper lip bifid : we may therefore doubt the propriety of re- 

 moving this species from the genus DESMODIUM. 



DESMODIUM. 



Calyx usually bibracteolated at the base, obscurely 

 bilabiate, as far as the middle ; upper lip bifid ; un- 

 der 3-partite. Standard roundish ; keel obtuse, not 

 truncated ; wings longer than the keel. Stamens 

 diadelphous (9 and 1) with the filaments persistent. 

 Legume of many joints, separating in maturity, com- 

 pressed, one seeded, membranaceous or coriaceous, 

 not at all or scarcely dehiscent. De Cand. 



Herbs or shrubs, for the most part natives of tropical coun- 

 tries. Leaves either 3-foliate, or 1 -jugate with an odd leaflet, 

 or simple ; stipels 2 at the base of the outer, and 1 at that of 

 each of the lateral leaflets. Racemes terminal, generally lax. 

 Pedicels 1 or more frequently 3, from the axils of the bracteas, 

 filiform, one-flowered. Flowers purple, azure, or white. 

 Several of the exotic species have been introduced, and are 

 common in our gardens. The D. GYRANS, the moving plant, 

 is a common weed in certain situations. Name, from Itff/xo; a 

 chain, and odo? a mode of doing any thing ; the joints of the 

 legumes being, as it were, chained together. 



1. Desmodium incanum. Hoary Desmodium. 



Stem suffrutescent suberect terete puberulous, leaf- 

 lets ovato-oblong or elliptic hispidulous or subglabrous 

 above incano-pubescent beneath, stipules lanceolate 

 ciliated, racemes terminal or opposite to a leaf, pedi- 



