72 



SELECTED WESTERN FLORA 



of red or reddish-white flowers. Commonly introduced as a fodder plant, 

 but not hardy enough to become very widespread. Frequently found 

 around fields in the Red River Valley. 



Fig. 54. — Medi 

 cago sativa. 



7. MEDICAGO. Medick. 



Flowers as in Melilotus; pod l-several-seeded, 

 curved or twisted ; leaves 3-foliate, leaflets toothed, 

 stipules often cut. 



1. M. sativa, L. Lucerne, Alfalfa. 



Erect, smooth, perennial; leaflets obovate; flowers 

 purple; pods twisted. Introduced into America from 

 Europe and now being largely used as a fodder plant. 



2. M. lupulina, L. Black Medick, Nonesdch. 

 Creeping, pubescent, annual; leaflets toothed at 



seeded. 

 Alta. 



the apex; flowers yellow, in short spikes; pods 1- 

 Waste places, not uncommon, Man.- 



8. MELILOTUS. Sweet Clover. 



Flowers as in Trifolium, but with corolla 

 free from the stamen tube, and arranged' in 

 long terminal racemes; 

 pod more leathery in tex- 

 ture and with fewer seeds. 

 Annual or biennial herbs 

 with rigid stems, and 3- 

 foliate leaves fragrant in 

 drying. 



1. M. officinalis, (L.) Lam. 



Yellow Sweet Clover. 



Erect, tall; leaflets some- 

 what broadly ovate, closely 

 serrate; petals yellow, all 

 nearly equal in length. 

 Waste ground, not uncom- 

 mon, introduced, Man.- 

 Alta. 



2. M. aiba, Desv. White 

 Sweet Clover. 



Fig. 55.— Melilotus Erect, tall; leaflets nar- 

 officinalis. rower than in the preceding ; 



Fig. 56. — Melilotus 

 alba. 



