68 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



L. reticulata. Nutt. Different from L. reticulata, Pers., 

 which is L. sessiliflora above ; stem simple, erect, stiff, with 

 oblong-linear leafets ; blossoms in August. 



Hedysarum. L. 16. 10. 



Named by Linnaeus from the sweet odor of some of the flowers. 

 It was formerly a more extensive genus, and embraced most of 

 the species of the preceding Lespedeza ; it contains now about 

 50 species, of which near 20 are found in this country, and 11 

 are credited to this Commonwealth. In general, the plants are 

 of little importance. In appearance, they are not very beautiful, 

 and may be called singular. One species is the Saintfoin of Eu- 

 rope, considered in France and England as highly valuable in 

 agriculture as hay, growing on light and chalky soils, being 

 profitable as a crop on good soils for about ten years. It is to be 

 seen whether this may not be a valuable grass for cultivation in 

 New England, if it can endure the climate. 



H. Canadense. L. Bush Trefoil. Stem 3-4 feet high, erect, 

 hairy, with ternate leaves, and oblong-lanceolate leafets ; racemes 

 terminal and axillary, of purple flowers ; joints of the legumes 

 oval, obtuse, hispid ; blooms in July, in dry w T oods. 



H. bracteosum. Mx. Has a stem 3-5 feet high, with ter- 

 nate leaves, near the middle, having ovate and acute leafets, and 

 a long panicle of flowers. 



H. acuminatum. Mx. Has a pubescent stem 3-6 feet 

 high, with a panicle of flowers often 2 feet long, and, along 

 the stem, ternate leaves, with ovate, acuminate, and hairy leafets, 

 and the odd one roundish-rhomboidal ; purple flowers ; blossoms 

 in July. 



H. rotundifolium. Mx. Has a prostrate, hirsute stem, with 

 fine-flowered racemes ; in rocky woods. 



H. humifusum. Muhl. Is prostrate, but smoother than the 

 preceding, and the leafets less round, or more ovate. 



