290 CLASS XVII. ORDER IV. 



petalous, nearly equal ; two upper calyx teeth short- 

 est ; stipules linear. 



This is an inferior kind of clover, distinguished by its zigzag 

 stem, long narrow stipules, loose spikes and fringed oval leafets, 

 somewhat glaucous beneath. — On dry hills. Naturalized. — Dan- 

 vers. — Mr. Oakes. 



^ Subgenus Melilotus. Legumes longer than the calyx ; flow- 

 ers racemed. 



Trifolium officinale. L. Melilot. 



Legumes in racemes, naked, two seeded, wrinkled, 

 acute, stem erect. L. 

 Syn. Melilotus officinalis. Pursh. 



Stem upright, furrowed, two feet high. Leafets oblong or 

 lance-obovate, serrate, smooth. Spikes axillary and terminal, 

 on footstalks, many flowered. Flowers nodding, mostly to one 

 side, yellow. Calyx and pedicels hairy. Pods pendulous, oval, 

 tapering at both ends, hairy. This trefoil in drying exhales an 

 agreeable scent, similar to the sweet scented vernal grass. 

 Horses are said to be very fond of it. — June, July. — It grows in 

 great plenty on the borders of the marsh at South Boston, where 

 it was probably introduced from Europe. Flowers sometimes 

 white. 



315. LESPEDEZA. 

 Lespedeza capitat.a. Mx. Shruhhy Lespedeza. 



Leaves ternate, lance-oblong, obtuse, silky beneath; 

 stipules subulate ; racemes axillary, ovate, shorter 

 than the leaves ; legumes hairy, shorter than the 

 calyx. Wi/ld. 

 Syn. Hedysarum frutescens. Willd. 



A slender, whitish, woody plant, found in dry woods at Brigh- 

 ton and elsewhere. Stems erect, covered with soft hair, very 

 leafy. Leaves on very short petioles ; leafets oblong, blunt, 

 mucronated, their upper surface smooth, under surface covered 

 with silken down, especially the edges and midrib. Racemes 



