106 THE PEAFLOWER TRIBE. [ Medicago. 
V. MEDICAGO. MEDICK. 
Herbs (with one exotic shrubby species), with leaves pinnately trifolio- 
late; the leaflets usually toothed ; the leafy stipules adhering to the leaf- — 
stalks; the flowers small, in short spikes or loose heads, on axillary 
peduncles. Calyx 5-toothed. Keel obtuse. Stamens diadelphous, the 
upper one entirely free. Pod small, with few seeds, very much curved or 
spirally twisted, and indehiscent. 
A rather numerous genus in the Mediterranean region and a portion of 
central Asia, with a few species extending as weeds over a great portion of 
the globe. To determine the annual species it is absolutely necessary to 
have the fruit, as some cannot be distinguished by any other character. 
Perennials, with conspicuous purple or pale yellow flowers. 
Stems mostly erect. Flowerpurple. Pod forming 2or3 spires 2. M. sativa. 
Stems decumbent. Flower pale yellow. Pod not ahs a 
- complete spire . ; 1. M, falcata. 
Annuals, with very small, bright yellow flowers. 
Pod small, 1-seeded, not forming a complete spire . . 3. M. lupulina. 
Pod several-seeded, spirally twisted, edged with prickles. 
Plant downy. Stipules nearly entire. : : . 6 M. minima. 
Plant nearly glabrous. Stipules finely toothed. 
Pod nearly globular, of 3 or 4 spires, furrowed at the edge 
between the prickles . . M. maculata. 
Pod of 2 or 3 flat, loose, strongly-veined spires, not fur- 
rowed at the edge : ‘ . 4. M. denticulata, 
The shrubby M. arborea, and one or two pA species from southern 
Europe, have been occasionally cultivated in gardens as curiosities, espe- 
cially the so-called Snazl-plant (M. scutellata). 
1, M. falcata, Linn. (fig. 234). Szekle Medick.—Stock perennial, 
with decumbent or rarely erect stems 1 to 2 feet long. Stipules narrow 
and entire. Leaflets obovate oblong or nearly linear. Peduncles axillary,. 
bearing at their extremity a short, close raceme of flowers, rather large 
for the genus, usually yellow, but sometimes passing into blue or violet. 
Pod much longer than the calyx, flat, more or less curved, but never 
forming more than one complete ring. Seeds 2 or 3. 
On dry banks and open places in central and southern Europe, and 
central Asia, extending eastward to the Baikal and northward to Sweden. 
In Britain confined to the eastern counties of England, and rare even 
there. #7, summer, [| M. sylvestris, Fies, found in the Eastern counties, 
with yellower flowers and annular or semicircular pods, is probably a 
hybrid. } 
2. WME. sativa, Linn. (fig. 235). Lucern Medick, Lucern.—Much like 
M. falcata, and perhaps only a variety produced by cultivation. It is 
usually more erect, the flowers are almost always violet or blue, and the 
pod is spirally twisted so as to form 2, or sometimes 3, complete rings or 
coils, 
Apparently of south-eastern origin, but so generally cultivated, that no 
station is known for it where it may not have escaped from cultivation. 
In Britain, certainly introduced only on the borders of fields, and in 
pastures. FU, summer. 
3. M.lupulina, Linn. (fig. 236). Black Medick, Nonsuch.—An 
annual, branching at the base into spreading stems 1 to 2 feet long, and: | 
