Part 20

Found, from July to September, in dry soil and barren fields.

The little stalk, frequently about 6 inches high, is apt to lie upon the ground, and is zigzag or twisted in manner, or occasionally curving; it is slightly rough, and downy near the top. In color green, rusty, and pale near the top.

The parts of the 3-divided leaf are long-oval, broadest at the notched tip, which is further marked by the sharp little projection of the midrib beyond the slightly irregular margin; the surface is rough to the touch, downy when young; the color is a cool gray-green. The leaves, on slight stems, are arranged in groups alternately. A pair of sharp-pointed, notched wings clasp the stalk at the junction of the stem.

The small and delicate corolla is yellow; the minute calyx is green. The flower-head is small and round; on a slender terminal or side stem.

When the seeds ripen the pods swell large and bean-shaped; they turn dark, almost black, and are woolly to the touch; each contains one round seed.

*Purple Clover.* Medicago sativa. *Alfalfa.* *Medick.* *Lucerne.*

Found, from July to September, in dry fields and sandy barrens.

The bushy, branching stalk reaches 2 or 3 feet in height; it is not very large, and is smooth; light green in color.

The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are long and narrow, or a pointed-oblong shape, widest near the abruptly-tapering tip; the margin is very slightly irregular, except for a sharp little needle-point at the tip; the surface is downy. Each leaflet is provided with a tiny foot-stem, the middle having the longest one. The color is a cool green, lighter underneath; without markings. The leaves are set on slender stems, arranged in groups, alternately; a pair of slender, fine wings occur at the junction of the stalk.

The flower is smaller than that of the Crimson Clover; it has a fine texture, and the petals are a pure purple color, the upper petal, which is much curled back, being marked with delicate dark lines; the small calyx is pale green. The flower-head is a short and club-shaped spike.

An individual trait is the charming little jerk in the line at the spring of the central leaflet.

*Tick Trefoil.* Desmodium nudiflorum.

Found on sandbanks and in dry shade in July.

The root sends up a flower-stem, pale, slender and about 2 feet in height, and a stout, woody leaf-stem which is shorter, and gray.

The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are broad-oval, entire, with many ribs and veins showing in the thin, somewhat papery texture, that is rough and dry to the touch; the color is grayish-green, paler underneath. Three or four leaves on their long strong stems are close set, one above the other, in an apparent whorl upon the summit of the short stem already described. Leaves occur also upon the flower-stems.

The flower is small; the upper petal is notched at the tip, and much turned back; the 4 others are caught by thread-like bases in the shallow 5-parted calyx; they are a clear lilac and white, the upper petal being marked with two purple patches; the calyx is pale reddish. The flowers on red foot-stems are arranged in little groups in a long spire upon the long stem which rises from the root.

One flower only blooms at a time. A tiny pointed leaf, or bract, as long as the calyx, is folded over the bud, but falls when the petals expand.

*Wild Bean.* Apios tuberosa.

Found on moist banks, among tangles of low bushes and sedges, in August.

This is a twining vine, leafy, rather slender, and slightly rough to the touch. In color, green, sometimes tinged with a dull red.

The leaf is compound, usually of 5 or 7 leaflets; these are oval, largest at the base, and tapering to the tip; the margin is entire, the fibre strong, and the surface slightly rough; color, a strong, full green. The leaves are alternate at intervals, springing from a strong joint.

The upper petal of the flower is broad, and hood like, the middle folded petal is like a beak beneath it, the side petals narrow and hanging like ribbons to tie the hood. Its color is brown-pink, the hood and beak darkest on the inside. The flowers are clustered together in a dense rounded head, set on a short stem that springs from a leaf-joint.

The front view of this flower carries out the fantastic suggestion of the hood shaped petal, for the beak looks like a strongly hooked nose far under its shadow. It is odorous.

ROSE FAMILY.

ROSACEÆ.

*Choke Berry.* Pyrus arbutifolia.

Found in wooded lands during April and May.

This small, branching shrub grows between 2 and 5 feet in height; it is woody-fibred, and the bark is reddish-gray in color.