LUCERN. ALFALFA. CHILEAN CLOVER.
Medicago sativa, L. Pea Family.
Perennials, with roots sometimes reaching down eight or ten feet. Stems.—Two to four feet high. Leaflets.—Three; toothed above. Flowers.—Violet. Calyx.—Five-toothed. Corolla.—Papilionaceous; six lines long. Stamens.—Nine united; one free. Pod.—Spirally coiled; without spines. Hab.—Usually escaped from cultivation.
The value of this little plant has been known for many centuries. It was introduced into Greece from Media, whence it received the name Medicago, and was cultivated several centuries before Christ. It has reached us through Mexico and Chile, where it is called "alfalfa" and "Chilean clover."
It is but sparingly naturalized among us, but on account of its very nutritious herbage it is largely cultivated for feed. Its very deep root enables it to seek moisture from perennial sources, and to thus withstand the dryness of our summers. It requires considerable care to start the plants; but once established, the roots will continue under favorable circumstances to produce crops of herbage almost indefinitely. When grown upon good soil and irrigated, it will yield several crops a year. When cured for hay, it is cut just before flowering. But it is of greatest value for feeding green to dairy cows and other animals. An alfalfa field is a beautiful and grateful sight amid the drouth of our late summer. In Chile sprays of this plant are laid about in the houses to drive away fleas.