DICOTYLEDONS: ARCHICHLAMYDEAt 293 
genus (Trifolium) containing many species. The most im- 
portant one to the farmer is the common red clover, afford- 
ing valuable pasturage and clover hay, and also improving 
the soil (§ 77). The 
smaller white clover 
is also a very fa- 
miliar plant associ- 
ated with grasses 
in lawns, pastures, 
etc.; and its flow- 
ers are especially 
attractive to bees. 
Aljalja (lucerne) is 
another important 
7M 
j 
A 
NY 
forage plant related a ZR 
to the clovers, and 3 NY 
is especially valua- ad A 
ble in the West Nz 4 
where irrigation is =a) E 
employed. It is a ally \\ iP 
native of western 3 sas | 
Asia, has long been rin 
cultivated in Eu- Sl Aue : 
rope, and was in- 
trodueed into Cali- hs i F ; 
: Fic. 284.—A sensitive plant, showing the inconspicu- 
fornia about the ous flowers with numerous stamens, and the sensi- 
s tive pinnately compound leaves.—After MEYER 
middle of the [ash oy mame 
century. Since then 
it has become the most extensively grown forage plant in 
the arid regions of the Pacific and Rocky Mountain States. 
Besides the forage plants, the seeds of certain others are 
very familiar as food. The cultivated peas are natives of 
southern Europe and Asia, and have been cultivated for 
many centuries. They are distinguished as garden peas and 
field peas, the latter being rather a forage plant. The two 
