CLASS XVIII. ORDER IV. 297 



320. MEDICAGO. 

 Medicago lupulina. L. Nonesuch. 



Spikes ovate; pods kidney shaped, veiny, rugged, 

 single seeded, stems procumbent. Sm. 



Occurs frequently by road sides, in pastures, Sec. Stems 

 spreading, angular, leafy. Leaves resembling clover, but small- 

 er. Leafets obovate, finely toothed. Spikes or heads ovate, of 

 yellow flowers. The pods are black and rugged, with an evi- 

 dent spiral or cockle like structure, which characterizes the genus. 

 When cultivated it is said to form a valuable grass, especially 

 for sheep. In its wild state, however, its size is rather insignifi- 

 cant. — Flowers all summer. — Biennial. 



Class XVIII. POLYADELPHIA. Sfametis imiied 

 in more than two sets. 



Orderly. POLYANDRIA. Many stamens. 



321. Hypericum. Calyx five parted, inferior; pe- 

 tals five ; styles one, three, or five ; capsules many 

 seeded. 



POLYADELPHIA. 

 POLYANDRIA. 



321. HYPERICUM. 

 Hypericum ascyroides. Willd. Giant Hypericum. 



Flowers with five styles, terminal ; stem erect, four 

 sided, branching; leaves sessile, oblong, acute, gla- 

 brous ; styles as long as the stamens. 

 Syn. Hypericum macrocarpum. Mr. 

 A large flowering species. Stem two or three feet high. 



