The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are very broad across the middle, especially the middle one, which is almost diamond-shaped; the margin is entire, the surface almost smooth, and the texture exceedingly thin; at the juncture of the foot-stem with the blade, and with the main stem, are small gland-like swellings; the alternate leaves, on slender stems, are of a light yellowish-green.
The slender pea-shaped blossom is lavender-tinted, with a pale green 4- to 5-notched calyx; the flowers grow in groups of from 4 to 7, on the end of a short flower-stem, that springs from the angle of the leaf.
The flowers occasionally ripen pods about 1 inch long, holding from 3 to 4 brown-mottled, bean-like seeds. The vine is said also to form subterranean seeds from rudimentary flowers, the seed being enclosed in a fleshy, pear-shaped pod; this perhaps may have been thought a good reason for giving to a slender and well-behaved little vine the opprobrious folk-name of Hog-Pea-nut! But those who know its true character will never degrade it to so low a level!
WILD PEANUT: Amphicarpæa monoica.
| White Clover. | Trifolium repens. |
Found in chief profusion in June—though continuing to flower through the summer,—amidst grass, along the roadsides, and occasionally in woodland glades.
The creeping stalk sends up its erect leaf and flower-stems (of 3 to 6 inches height) in great profusion. It is green and pale.
The leaf is compound; the 3 leaflets are oval, slightly notched, or heart-shaped, with obscurely toothed margins; of fine texture, and smooth surface. In color it is a rather dark, cool green, sometimes faintly marked with a triangular band of lighter color on each leaflet.
The upper and larger petal of the little flower is slightly turned back; the color of the corolla is white, the small 5-parted calyx being green. The flowers, on their very tiny foot-stems, are gathered in a close, round head, which is set on a slender, light green stem that springs from the stalk.