422 



LEGUMINOS^ 



Leaf. — The leaves are stipulate and compound, with three 

 ovate leaflets, each of which is bordered with hairs. 



The stipules are membranous with greenish-purple veins and 

 united to the petiole except at their tips which end in a fine 

 point (i. Fig. 128). 



Inflorescence and Flower. — The inflorescences are 

 terminal, ovoid or spherical capitula about i or i^ inches in 



Fig. 128. — Stipules of ihe leaves ot (i) red clover; (2; alsike clover; (3) crimson clover 

 or ' Trifolium' (7". incamatum){,s\\ natural size.) 



length and composed of many small flowers crowded together. 

 Beneath each inflorescence are two leaves. 



The flower is protandrous and has a gamosepalous calyx with 

 five free teeth at its apex, the inferior one being longer than the 

 rest 



The corolla is medianly zygomorphic and consists of a 

 standard, wings, and keel ; the petals, however, instead of being 

 free as in the pea, are united at their bases to form a tube 

 nearly half an inch long (i. Fig. 129). 



The andrcEcium is diadelphous ; nine united stamens are 

 fused with the corolla tube and the posterior one is free. 



