Leguminosce 163 



Lathyrus, Peas and Vetchlings. Leaves inparipinnate, 

 ending in tendrils, with few leaflets, and sagittate or half- sagittate 

 stipules ; stamens diadelphous, style flattened above. Several 

 species used as fodder plants. The Sweet-pea (Z. odoratus) 

 and Everlasting Pea (Z. latifolius) are exotic species. The 

 edible Pea is separated into another genus, Pisum. 



Lotus, Bird's -foot Trefoil. Leaves trifoliate, with large leaf- 

 like stipules ; stamens diadelphous ; calyx with five equal teeth; 

 legume imperfectly many-celled. A good fodder plant. 



Medicago, Medick or Lucerne. Leaves trifoliate ; stamens 

 diadelphous; legume more or less spirally twisted (fig. 299), 



Fig. 299. — Twisted legume of FiG. 300. — Abbreviated inflorescence of 



Lucerne (Metiicago saiivd). Clover. 



sickle-shaped, indehiscent. Much cultivated as a fodder plant, 

 especially M. satwa, the Lucerne. 



Melilotus, Melilot. Leaves trifoliate ; flowers in long loose 

 racemes ; stamens diadelphous ; legumes with one or very few 

 seeds, longer than the calyx. Fodder plants. 



Onobrychis, Sainfoin. Leaves imparipinnate ; stamens di- 

 adelphous ; legume flat, hard, one-seeded, and indehiscent. A 

 valuable fodder plant. 



Sarothamnus, Broom. Leaves trifoliate, three digitate 

 leaflets ; stamens monadelphous ; calyx campanulate, with two 

 lips, minutely toothed ; legume flat, many-seeded. 



Trifolium, Trefoil or Clover. Leaves trifoliate ; flowers in 

 abbreviated heads (fig. 300) ; stamens diadelphous ; legume few 



