Leguminose-- Lathyrus. 133 
6. L. tuberdsus.—A tuberous-rovted species with unijugate 
leaves, leaflets oblong, tendrils slightly branched. Peduncles 
long, several - flowered ; flowers medium-sized, rosy - pink. 
Europe. 
26. OROBUS. 
This differs from the last genus in having no tendril at the 
tip of the petiole, and is usually united with it; but for our 
purpose it is more convenient to keep it separate. The Latin 
name. Bitter Vetch is the common English appellation. 
1. O. vérnus.—A valuable early flowering species. It grows 
about a foot or 18 inches high. Leaves composed of about 
three pairs of lanceolate acute leaflets. Flowers reddish 
purple, changing to pale blue. A native of Europe, flowering 
in April and May. 
2. O. liteus.—A handsome plant of about the same stature 
as the preceding. Leaflets about 8, elliptical, rather acute, 
glaucous beneath. Flowers yellow. Siberia. 
3. O. niger.—An indigenous mountain species, 1 to 2 feet 
high. Leaves of 3 to 6 pairs of oblong-lanceolate acute 
leaflets. Peduncles equalling or exceeding the leaves, 2- to 
8-flowered ; flowers livid purple, fading to blue. 
4. O. adlbus.—This is a distinct species with about 6 narrow 
linear-lanceolate acute leaflets. This species is very variable 
in the colour of its flowers, ranging from white and cream 
tinged with rose to purple and white and yellow. It includes 
O. varius, versicolor, and canéscens. A native of Austria, 
flowering in Spring. 
Besides the above there are others equally effective, as 
O. variegatus, rose crimson and blue striped; O. coccineus, 
scarlet; Jorddni, blue; and tuberdsus, red fading to blue. 
Trisn VIII.—PHASHEOLEA. 
Twining herbs or erect shrubs or trees. Leaves pinnate or 
digitately trifoliolate. Stamens diadelphous, or the upper one 
partially united with the others. Pod 2-valved. The Scarlet 
Runner Bean, Phaseolus multiflorus, belongs to this tribe, and 
being both handsome and useful may.be planted with advan- 
tage in small gardens for covering arbours, etc. This genus is. 
remarkable for the twisted keel petals. 
