CHAPTER XIX 

 CLOVERS AND OTHER LEGUMES 



One of the most interesting and useful families of the 

 whole plant kingdom is the Leguminosae, to which the 

 locust trees, alfalfa, red clover, sweet clover, vetches, peas, 

 beans and other plants belong. In recent years, the term 

 legume has been used principally in referring only to 

 those members of the family which are cultivated in fields 

 and are therefore of agricultural importance. 



178. Characteristics of the Legumes. — Leguminous 

 plants, which are dicotyledons, have many lateral roots, 

 which branch from one tap root. 



The stems vary from prostrate to trailing, cUmbing or 

 erect. 



The leaves have one central vein with many finer ones 

 branching from it, giving the appearance referred to as 

 netted veined. They are usually round or oval and are 

 arranged spirally about the stem. 



Nearly all legumes have rather showy flowers, which 

 attract bees and thus secure cross-fertihzation. The 

 form of the flowers helps to distinguish them. Taking 

 the pea as an example, the largest petal, which is upper- 

 most, is called the standard. Below this are two petals, 

 one on either side, known as wings, while the two united 

 petals below the wings form what is called the keel. Have 

 you ever noticed that the oddly shaped flower of the pea 

 resembles very closely that of the sweet clover, or that the 

 head of red clover really consists of a group, or mass, of 



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