T r ifol ium. L. 16. 10. Clover.
Some cultivated species, of great consequence in agriculture,
are well known, and fully naturalized. Trifolium means three-
leafed, a general character of the species.
T. pratense. L. Red Clover. Originally from Britain.
T. repens. L. White Clover. Originally from Britain.
T. arvense. L. Hare’s Foot, Rabbit Foot. Grows on dry,
hard soil; small, pubescent.
T. procumbens. L. Yellow Clover. Has yellow flowers, on
a spreading stem 3 - 6 inches high ; probably introduced, and not
very widely extended.
T. agrarium. L. Woods Clover. Bears small yellow flowers
on long peduncles, with leaves nearly sessile ; woods and
fields ; blossoms in June.
A species, sometimes called Russia Clover, is a fine border
grass, and may prove valuable.
T. officinale. L. Melilot. The yellow flowered, and the
white, both finely scented, are often cultivated in gardens. The
white grows naturally along the borders of the marsh in South
Boston, Big., and is sparingly naturalized in some other places.
It is said to make good hay for horses.
The usefulness of the red clover for hay, and of the white for
pasturage, is too great to be more than alluded to.
T. incarnatum. W. Italian Clover, is proposed for cultivation,
as a valuable plant. Grows about 2 fee.t high, with
roundish ovate crenate leaves, and an oblong villous spike of
flowers. It requires to be cut early for hay. It has been already
used as a grass for borders. This species is said to be a native
of Italy. Loudon.
T. medium. L. Zigzag Clover. Distinguished by its zigzag
stem; has been found by Mr. Oakes, naturalized on hills in
Danvers.
L e s p ed e za . Mx, 16. 10.
Was named in honor of Lespedez, governor of Florida, who
protected Michaux in his botanical researches. Loudon. The
plants are of little consequence either for use or beauty ; belong
generally to North America. Eight species of the dozen, are
credited to this State ; grow chiefly in open woods or hedges.
L. capitata. Mx. Bush Clover. Has a soft-hairy, and very
leafy stem, about 2 feet high ; ternate hairy leaves, oblong
and mucronate ; flowers in rather clustered or head-like racemes ;
somewhat woody ; blossoms in August and September.
L. polystachya. Mx. Hairy Bush Clover. Is rather more
woody, more hairy, with ternate leaves, roundish, and racemes of
flowers, axillary, exceeding the leaves in the length of their hairy
foot-stalks ; September ; woods.
L . angustifolia. Ell. Has been found by T . A. Greene at
Plymouth, in sandy woods, 3 - 4 feet high, with very narrow
leafets, villous below.
L . prostrata. Muh. Trailing Clover.
L. procumbens. Mx. Running Bush Clover. Has a slender,
pubescent stem, 2 - 3 feet long, and purple flowers in rather long
racemes, and ternate, roundish leafets ; beautiful; blossoms in
August.
L . sessiliflora. Mx. Has ovate, reticulated legumes, and an
erect, simple stem, 2 feet high, and very narrow leafets, with
violet-colored flowers ; August; sandy or dry woods.
L. violacea. Pers. Is a handsome species, with violet flowers,
mostly in pairs, numerous, in racemes somewhat umbel-like ; stem
long and slender ; dry woods ; flowers in August.