HEDYS'ARUM OBSCURUM. 
CREEPING HEDYSARUM. 
Class. Order. 
DIADELPHIA. DECANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
LEGUM1NOS2E. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
Europe. 
6 inches. 
July, Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1640. 
No. 441. 
Hedysarum is a name adopted from the ancient 
Greeks, and is now used to designate plants which 
have but little connexion with the idea the word 
was intended to indicate. It originated from the 
Greek hedus, sweet, and aroma, a perfume. From 
the description of Dioscorides, it is thought that the 
plant which originally bore the name, was a spe- 
cies of Fenugreek. In consequence of an obscu- 
rity, or confusion occurring in the descriptions of 
this plant, as given by different authors, in the time 
of Linneus, he called it obscurum. It is a matter 
of wonder to every one conversant with natural his- 
tory, that he should not have had more frequent 
occasion to register doubts and uncertainties, for 
he was a second Adam, to whom all things were 
brought to be named. 
The Hedysarum obscurum is a beautiful little 
plant for the borders, mounds, or artificial rock- 
work. It should be placed where it can be of easy 
approach and inspection, that its beauty may not 
be hidden by more diffuse subjects. It will be well 
suited to accompany the Orobus vernus, Orobus 
tetragonolobus, Cofonella Iberica, and the minor 
in 
