ONONIS 



LABUBNUM AND BBOOM OBDEB teifolium 333 



roundish, toothed. Flowers in summer, 

 rosy, three on a stalk. 



Ctdture So. as above. Increased by 

 seeds or cuttings. 



O. viscosa. — A handsome annual 

 with downy clammy stems, 1^—3 ft. high. 

 Leaflets 3, toothed, the middle one largest. 

 Flowers in summer, yellow, in long 

 spikes, the back of the standard striped 

 with purple. 



Culture dc. as above. Being an 

 annual from S. Europe, the seeds of this 

 species may be sown in cold frames in 

 autumn or spring, afterwards transplant- 

 ing the seedlings to their flowering posi- 

 tions. Or they may be sown during April 

 and May in the open border wliere the 

 plants are to bloom, thinning the seedlings 

 out if too close together. 



PAROCHETUS (Shamrock Pea).— 

 A genus having only one species : — 



P. communis. — An elegant creeping 

 perennial about 3 in. high, native of the 

 Himalayas. The stems, which root at 

 the joints, have 3-foliolate Clover-like 

 leaves, and during October and November 

 the cobalt-blue Pea-like blossoms are 

 produced either singly or 2 or 3 together 

 in the axils of the leaves. 



Culture and Propagation. — The 

 Shamrock Pea is best grown in warm sunny 

 parts of the rockery in well-drained soil. 

 Owing to the late period of blooming, the 

 beautiful blue flowers are often injured 

 by frost, and in cold localities the plants 

 would look better grown in pots in cold 

 frames or a cool greenhouse. Propagation 

 is eilected by dividing the rooting stems 

 in spring, or by sowing the seeds at the 

 same period in gentle heat. 



MEDIC AGO (Lucben; Medick).— A 

 genus with 40 species of herbs, only one 

 of which is worth growing. Flowers 

 yellow or violet, one or more on a stalk. 

 Calyx shortly toothed or lobed. Petals 

 free from the stamen-tube ; standard 

 obovate or oblong, contracted at the base ; 

 wings oblong, longer than the obtuse 

 keel. Stamens 10, upper one free. Pod 

 spirally sickle-shaped, or often sheU-like, 

 unarmed or spiny. 



M. falcata, — A native prostrate peren- 

 nial with stems 2-4 ft. long. Leaflets 3, 

 oblong, toothed at the apex, entire at the 

 base. Flowers in summer, usually pale 

 yellow, but sometimes violet or green, in 

 short close axillary racemes. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 species thrives in any soil, and is suitable 

 for banks, slopes, or rough parts of the 

 rock garden. It may be increased by 

 seeds sown in the open border when ripe, 

 or in spring, or the plants may also be in- 

 creased by division in early autumn or 

 spring. 



TRIFOLIUM (Trefoil ; Clover).— 

 A genus containing 150-200 species of 

 annual or perennial herbs, with digitately 

 3-, rarely 5-7-foliolate leaves, with stipules 

 adnate to the stalks. Flowers in spikes, 

 heads, or umbels, rarely solitary. Calyx 

 teeth or lobes nearly equal. Petals often 

 withering, long-clawed, or the 4 lower 

 ones more or less adnate to the stamen- 

 tube ; standard oblong or ovate ; wings 

 narrow, longer than the blunt keel. 

 Stamens 10, upper one free or rarely 

 united at the middle with the others. 

 Pod oblong or nearly round, or obovate- 

 compressed. 



Culture and Propagation. — The 

 Trefoils are not particularly well-known 

 flower garden plants, but a few of them 

 are useful for creeping about in the 

 rockery or on the margins of borders. 

 They grow in almost any garden soil, and 

 may be increased by division in autimin 

 or spring, or from seed sown when ripe 

 in the open border. 



T. alpestre (Owl-headed Clover). — A 

 pretty species 6-12 in. high, from the 

 European Alps and W. Asia. Leaflets 

 lance-shaped, leathery, ciliate toothed ; 

 stipules narrow, nearly sessile. Flowers 

 in June and July, purple. Petals united. 



Culture dc. as above. 



T. fimbriatum. — A N. American species 

 with long thick prostrate stems. Leaflets 

 oblong or slightly wedge-shaped, 1 in. or 

 more long, conspicuously fringed with 

 bristly teeth. Flowers in autumn, purple ; 

 calyx teeth spiny. 



Culture dc. as above. 



T. fucatum. — A Californian annual 

 6 in. high. Leaflets roundish wedge- 

 shaped, sharply toothed, thickish ; stipules 

 large, entire, abruptly pointed. Flowers 

 in June, creamy-white mixed with red. 



Culture dc. as above. Sow seeds an- 

 nually in warm spots. 



T. hybridum (Alsike or Bastard 

 Clover). — A European species with 

 flexuous stems 2-10 in. long. Leaflets 

 obovate or oblong, ^-1^ in. long, toothed ; 



