212 



THE PEAFLOWEK TRIBE. 



Fig. 263. 



or in the first leaves the terminal one 

 stands alone. Flower-heads usually in 

 pairs at the ends of the branches, each 

 one surrounded by a digitate, leafy bract; 

 the flowers numerous and closely sessile. 

 Calyx hairy, much inflated, and con- 

 traeted at the mouth. Corolla small, 

 varying from a pale or bright yellow to 

 a deep red. 



In dry pastures and rocky stony places, 

 chiefly in hilly districts, throughout Eu- 

 rope and western Asia, from the Medi- 

 terranean to the Arctic Circle. Hanges 

 generally over Britain, although here 

 and there considerable districts may be 

 without it. Fl. summery commencing 

 early. 



XI. ASTRAGAL. ASTRAGALUS. 



Herbs, with pinnate leaves, and pink, purple, bluish, pale-yellow, or 

 white flowers, in axillary racemes or spikes, without leafy bracts. Sti- 

 pules entire at the base (not sagittate). Calyx with 5 teeth. Petals 

 usually narrow. Keel obtuse. Stamens diadelphous, the upper one 

 entirely free. Pod cylindrical or inflated, usually more or less divided 

 lengthwise by a complete or partial partition proceeding from the side 

 next the keel. Seeds several. 



A very numerous genus, distributed all over Europe, central and 

 northern Asia, North America, and down the Andes of South America ; 

 penetrating far into the Arctic regions, ascending to high alpine sum- 

 mits, and abundant in the hot rocky districts of the Mediterranean 

 region. 



Stems 2 or 3 feet long, with large leaflets, and dingy yellow 



flowers 3. Sweet A. 



Low plants, with small leaflets, and bluish-purple flowers. 

 Flowers 8 or 9 lines long. Pods erect, not twice the length 



of the calyx 1. Purple A. 



Flowers not 6 lines long. Pods pendulous, 3 or 4 times 



the length of the calyx 2. Alpine A. 



