LEGUMINOSjE 



441 



TRIFOLroM MEDIUM (Zigzag, Medimn Red, White, Mammoth or 

 Meadow Clover) 



This is a perennial clover resembling red clover {T. pra- 

 tense), described above. The plant is larger, however, its 

 stems are more spreading and bent more zigzag at the 

 nodes; the leaflets are longer and narrower, and the stipules 

 longer and more pointed. The leaflets are lanceolate or 

 oblong and not spotted as in the red clover. The flowers are 

 bright purple. 



This species is a native of Siberia and possibly Europe. 

 It has gained entrance into this country and occurs here and 

 there in the eastern United States as 

 a ruderal. 



The plant is being grown in the 

 same manner and for the same pur- 

 pose as common red clover. 



MEDICAGO (Medics) 



Generic Description. — The medi- 

 cagos are mostly herbs, sometimes 

 woody at the base, as in common 

 alfalfa, and very rarely shrubby (one 

 species in southern Europe). The 

 leaves (Fig. 183, E) are pinnately 

 three-foUate, the stipules adnate to 

 the petiole, and the leaflets com- 

 monly dentate, pinnately veined, 

 with the veins terminating in the teeth. The flowers are 

 small, yellow or violet, in axillary h^ads or racemes. The 

 calyx teeth are short, and about equal in length. The 

 petals are free from the staminal tube; the standard is 

 obovate or oblong, the wings oblong, and the keel short and 

 obtuse. The stamens are diadelphous (nine and one). The 



Fic. 187. — Seed and pod 

 of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) . 

 X 5- 



