68 Introduction to Botany. 



or oval, sessile, short-pointed, glabrous, fleshy, 2-celled, sometimes i inch in diame- 

 ter. Branches 6 to 15 inches long, ascending or decumbent. Leaflets 15-25, 

 mostly oblong-elliptic. Peduncles equaling or shorter than the leaves. Plant 

 covered with a pale, minute, appressed pubescence. Prairies. 



2. Astragalus Mexicanus, A. DC. LARGER GROUND PLUM. Corolla cream 

 color, purplish at the tip, about I inch long. Globose, glabrous pods sometimes 

 exceeding i inch in length, pointless, 2-celled. Pubescence somewhat spreading. 

 Leaflets 17-33, oblong to obovate. Prairies. 



3. Astragalus gracilis, Nutt. (L.,gracilis, slender.) SLENDER MILK VETCH. 

 Flowers purple, inch or less in length, in slender, spikelike racemes. Pendent 

 pods i-celled, concave on the back, at first hoary, but becoming glabrous. Plants 

 erect and slender, i to 2 feet high, finely pubescent. Leaflets 11-21, distant and 

 narrowly linear. Prairies. 



VII. VICIA. Vetch or Tare. 



(The classical Latin name.) 



Herbaceous vines, climbing or trailing. Leaves evenly pinnate and 

 tendril-bearing. Stipules mostly half-sagittate. Calyx teeth 5, about 

 equal, or the 2 upper shorter. Standard obovate or oblong, emargi- 

 nate; wings adhering to the middle of the keel. Stamens more or less 

 diadelphous, 9 and i. Style slender, hairy at the summit. 



1. Vicia Americana, Muhl. AMERICAN VETCH or PEA VINE. Flowers bluish 

 purple, somewhat less than i inch long, 3-9 in a loose-flowered raceme. Mostly 

 glabrous perennial, 2 to 3 feet long. Leaflets 8-14, elliptic or ovate-oblong, con- 

 spicuously veined. Pod glabrous, 4-y-seeded. In moist soil. 



2. Vicia linearis, Green. (L., linearis, linear.) Flowers and fruit as in Vicia 

 Americana, but the leaflets are narrowly linear, and the branches are weak and 

 often zigzag. In dry soil. 



VIII. CERCIS. Redbud or Judas Tree. 



(Ancient name of the Oriental Judas tree.) 



Shrubs or small trees, with red purple flowers in umbellike clusters 

 along last year's twigs or older branches, appearing just before the 

 leaves. Leaves simple, broad, and heart-shaped. Standard in the bud 

 inclosed by the wings. Stamens 10 and distinct. Pods oblong and 

 flat. 



i. Cercis Canadensis, L. REDBUD. A small tree, often planted for ornamental 

 purposes. In rich soil. 



