48 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



SPECIES X.—TRIFOLIUM STRIATUM. Lim^. 

 Plate CCCLVI. 



Rootstock none. Stems numerous, nearly straigjlit, ascending 

 or procumbent, simple or slightly branched. Leaflets obovate 

 or oblanccolate, faintly denticulate at the apical margin, the 

 lateral veins straight, not prominent. Stipules adnate for about 

 half their length, with the free portion short, triangular, acumi- 

 nated into a long cuspidate point ; the iipper ones, which embrace 

 the flower-heads, mucli dilated. Heads terminal and axillary, 

 sessile, the terminal ones frequently in pairs, ovate-ovoid, at length 

 ovoid-oljlong, widest at the base. Calyx-tube oblong, strongly 

 10-ribbed, becoming swollen and ovoid in fruit, with an indistinct 

 callous ring in the throat ; teeth triangular-subulate, spinescent, 

 with a strong nerve, the four upper ones nearly equal, about half 

 the length of the calyx-tube, the lower one a little exceeding the 

 others ; all rigid and spreading in fruit. Plant more or less softly 

 hairy. 



On dry pastures and in waste places. Eather common in Eng- 

 land. In Scotland it is confined to the East coast, where it is found 

 as far North as Kincardineshire. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Summer. 



Stems 3 to 18 inches long, generally numerous and spreading 

 in a circle, often quite prostrate, but sometimes ascending or even 

 sub-erect. Leaflets \ to f inch long, rounded or truncate at the apex, 

 with none of the veins prominent except the midrib. Elower-heads 

 dense, -j to ^ inch long, increasing to f inch when in fruit, mostly 

 terminating the stem and short lateral branches (but there are also 

 some sessile in the axils of the leaves), those of the main stems 

 mostly in pairs, the others solitary. Flowers ^ inch long, pale rose- 

 colour. Calyx bulging, and becoming very strongly ribbed in fruit, 

 densely clothed with soft hairs, the callous ring very indistinct, 

 hairy, the hairs not closing the tube. Corolla a little longer than 

 the calyx-teeth. Pod included. Seed ovoid, yellowish - brown. 

 Stem, petioles, and leaflets with ascending or adpressed hairs. Plant 

 dull-green. 



A larger and less rigid plant than the last, with the leaflets much 

 less rigid and without prominent veins. The upper stipules are 

 much dilated, membranous, with purplish veins; the calyx-tube 

 much swollen in fruit, more strongly ribbed, and the teeth shorter 

 and narrower. 



Soft-knotted Trefoil. 



Frcncli, Trifle Slrie. German, Gestrei/ter Kite. 



