00. Tribe TRIFOLIEAE [Draft]

Chinese  Pinyin

Wei Zhi[1]; Michael A. Vincent

Insert tribal description.

Insert #genera and #species; global distribution; six genera and 44 species (one endemic, 19 introduced) in China.

Insert key to genera.

00. ONONIS Linn., Sp. Pl. 716. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, rarely shrubs, usually glandular and villous, sometimes spiny. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, the lateral often reduced and become 1-foliolate; stipules herbaceous, mostly adnate to the petiole, the cauline stipules united at the base into a ring, bifid; stipellae absent; leaflets toothed, lateral veins extended to the teeth on margins. Flowers solitary or 2–3 on short axillary racemes, peduncles often bristle-like, the floral leaves sometimes reduced to bracts with the flowers crowded into a spike; petals with short claw and free from staminal tube; stamens monadelphous, filaments dilated at the apex, anthers dimorphic, alternately basifixed and dorsifixed; ovary shortly stipitate, 2-many ovuled. Pod oblong or ovate, turgid, 2-valved; seed reniform, smooth or punctate.

About 75 species: W Asia, Ethiopia, C and N Europe, Mediterranean region; four species (two introduced) in China.

1a.       Branchlets not straightly bristle-like.

2a.       Flower red, short pedicel; pod ovate, shorter than the calyx .......................  2. O. arvensis

2b.       Flower yellow, rather long pedicel; pod oblong, longer than the calyx ............  4. O. natrix

1b.       Branchlets straightly bristle-like.

3a.       Flowers 6–10(–15) mm, equal or slightly longer than the calyx .............  1. O. antiquorum

3b.       Flowers 15–20 mm, 2 times as long as the calyx ....................................  3. O. campestris

1. Ononis antiquorum Linn., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1006. 1763.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, shrubby, 50–80(–100) cm, with mixed long and short glandular hairs. Stem erect in zigzags, terete, branchy, branchlets bristle-like, usually with racemes together to formed unequal double thorn-shape. Leaves 1-foliolate, sometimes 3-foliolate at the base of stem; stipules 6–8 mm, petiole 2–3 mm, slender; leaflets oblong or ovate, 6–12 Χ 2–5 mm, base rounded, margins irregularly serrulate, apex acute, glandular on both surfaces. Flowers solitary on axillary thorn, with short pedicel; calyx 7–8 mm, teeth 2 times as long as the tube; corolla pink, with purple stripes, 6–10(–15) mm, not or slightly extend from the calyx. Pod ovoid, 5–6 mm, hidden in persistent calyx; seeds 1–2(–3). Fl. May–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.

Sandy meadows, or margin of coniferous woods. Xinjiang [N Africa, C and SW Asia, Near East, and S Europe].

2. Ononis arvensis Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10(2): 1159. 1759.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, shrubby, 30–80 cm, leafy, with glandular and simple hairs. Stem erect, longitudinally ridged, branchy, without bristle-like branchlets. Leaves 3-foliolate, at apical part of stem 1-foliolate; stipules 6–10 mm, equal to petiole; terminal leaflet ovate to broadly oblong, 15–30 Χ 5–15 mm, subsessile, base rounded to broadly cuneate, apex acute, lateral leaflets as half of the terminal, glandular and villous on both surfaces, more dense abaxially. Flowers 1–2 axillary, congested at the tip to form whorled inflorescence with leaves; pedicel short, calyx 8–12 mm, teeth 3–4 times as long as the tube; corolla pale red with purple stripes, rarely white, 15–20 mm. Pod broadly oblong or ovoid, 7 Χ 5–6 mm, hidden in calyx, apex tiny reflexed style; seeds 2–4, warty. Fl. And fr. Jun–Aug.

Moist sandy soils of meadow. Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, C and SW Asia, C and N Europe, Kashmir].

3. Ononis campestris Koch & Ziz, Cat. Pl. Palat. 22. 1814.

Chinese  Pinyin

Ononis spinosa Linn.

Perennial herb, base woody, 30–60 cm, with long and short glandular hairs. Stem erect, branchy at base, 1 or sometimes 2 rows of dense glandular hairs internode, branchlets thornlike. Leaves 3-foliolate, at the tip of stem 1-foliolate; terminal leaflet oblong-elliptic, 5–10 Χ 3–5 mm, base rounded, margin irregularly serrulate, apex acute. Flower solitary axillary, subsessile, at the tip to form sparse racemes; calyx 7–8 mm, teeth longer than tube; corolla pale red to mauve, 15–20 mm. Pod oblong to rhomboid, 7 mm, apex beaked, equal or a little extended from persistent calyx; seeds 2–3. Fl. And fr. Apr–Sep.

Cultivated as ornamentals [introduced from NW Europe].

4. Ononis natrix Linn. Sp. Pl. 717. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Evergreen subshrubs, 10–70 cm, glandular and viscose hairs. Stem erect, branchy, without thorns. Leaves 3-foliolate, at the tip often simple and at base sometimes 5 leaflets; leaflets oblong, obovate, to broadly linear, 1–6 cm, apex acute. Flower solitary axillary, at the tip to form racemes with leaves; pedicel 5–20 mm, in the middle an aristate appendage; calyx 8–12 mm, teeth linear-lanceolate, longer than tube; corolla yellow, scarlet or purple stripes abaxially, 12–20 mm. Pod linear, 10–20 Χ 3–4 mm, 2–3 times longer than the persistent calyx, beaked; seeds 6–9, globoid, warty. Fl. May–Oct.

Cultivated as ornamentals [introduced from N Mediterranean].

00. PAROCHETUS Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 240. 1825.

Chinese  Pinyin

One species: Bhutan, China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand; E Africa

1. Parochetus communis Buch.-Ham. op. cit.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, prostrate, 10–20 cm. Roots fibrous, produced at the nodes, with nodule. Leaves digitally 3-foliolate, stipules ovate, 4–5 mm, membranous, entire; petiole 8–15 cm, slender, puberulous; leaflets obcordate, 8–20 Χ 10–20 mm, base narrowly cuneate, margin entire, or sometimes undulate, lateral veins 4–5 pairs, petiolule 1 mm. Inflorescence umbellate, long peduncles axillary equal to petiole, bracts 2–4, pedicels 5–10 mm; flowers 1–3, calyx 6–9 mm, densely brown puberulous, teeth subequal to tube; corolla blue to purple, rarely white or pale red, 20 mm, vexillum obovate, tapering into a short claw, wings falcate-oblong, keel broadly triangular-falcate, apex abruptly inflexed, rather acute, stamens diadelphous, filaments not dilated; ovary sessile, glabrous; ovules numerous. Pod linear, 20–25 Χ 3–4 mm, apex obliquely acute; seeds 8–12, reniform, brown, sometimes with spots, 2 Χ 1 mm, hilum small, round and lateral. Fl. and fr. Apr–Nov.

Thickets, wood margins, grasslands, roadsides; 1800–3000 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand; E Africa].

00. TRIGONELLA Linn. Gen. Pl. 351. 1737.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or perennial herbs. Stem erect, spreading or prostrate, branchy. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, stipules conspicuously veined, terminal leaflet usually larger, margin ± serrulate or incised, lateral veins running out into teeth. Inflorescence axillary, shortly racemes, capitate, subumbellate, or sometimes subsolitary; peduncles prolonged at fruiting with the axis of inflorescence; pedicels short, often less 5 mm, thickened after flowering; bracts minute, bracteole absent; calyx-teeth subequal; petals free from the staminal tube, vexillum larger, keel obtuse; filaments not dilated, anther uniform. Pod straight, falcate or arcuate, compressed or terete, tapering both ends, with reticulate coat; seeds scabrous, warty or pitted.

About 70 species: mostly in Africa, Asia, Europe, Mediterranean region, and Oceania; nine species (two introduced) in China.

1a.       Perennial; pod linear-oblong, convex; petals without tripping mechanism between wings and keel.

2a.       Wings shorter than keel .....................................................................  3. T. cachemiriana

2b.       Wings longer than keel.

3a.       Pod coated oblique veins; vexillum suborbicular, equal to wings; margins of leaflets sparsely serrate    1. T. emodi

3b.       Pod coated crosswise veins; vexillum long obovate, reflexed, slightly longer than wings; margins of leaflets densely double serrate ................................................................  2. T. fimbriata

1b.       Annual; pod cylindric or ovoid.

4a.       Pod conical or ovoid, over 2.5 mm in diam.; petals without tripping mechanism between wings and keel; cultivated.

5a.       Pod ovoid, 2.5–5 mm, crowded as capitate, long pedunculate .................  8. T. coerulea

5b.       Pod conical, 70–120 mm, subsessile, solitary or pair axillary ......  9. T. foenum-graecum

4b.       Pod linear-cylindric, less 2 mm in diam.; petals with tripping mechanism between wings and keel; plant under 30 cm.

6a.       Peduncles developed, usually over 15 mm ............................................  6. T. cancellata

6b.       Peduncles failed developable, usually below 10 mm.

7a.       Flowers 1–2(–3), 6–8 mm, sessile; pod over 40 mm ..........................  4. T. monantha

7b.       Flowers (2–)4–5, 4–5 mm, short pedunculate; pod less than 30 mm.

8a.       Pod straight, 20–30 mm .................................................................  5. T. orthoceras

8b.       Pod arcuate, 15–20 mm ......................................................................  7. T. arcuata

1. Trigonella emodi Benth. in Royle, Illustr. Bot. Himal. Mt. 197. 1835.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 20–60(–80) cm. Stem erect or ascending, terete, branching at base, yellow pubescent when young. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules broadly lanceolate, incised; leaflets broadly obovate, (7–)10–25 Χ (4–)7–15 mm, base cuneate, margins sparsely serrate, apex obtuse or truncate, apiculate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely pilose abaxially. Flowers 5–8(–10) in short racemes, peduncle slender and axillary, 1–2 cm, after flowering prolonged to 2–3 cm, straight, bracts minute, pedicels 1.5–2.5 mm; calyx 3–4 mm, teeth lanceolate, shorter than tube; corolla yellow, 6–9 mm, vexillum suborbicular, equal to wings, keel half of the length of them; ovary as long as style, ovules 8–10. Pod oblong, 14–20 Χ 4–5 mm, base rounded, apex acute, with persistent style, veins prominent obliquely, glabrous; seeds 4–6, ellipsoid, 2.5 Χ 1.5 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.

Ravine shores or meadow by woods of the Himalayan valleys; 2700–3800 m. Xizang [India, Kashmir, Pakistan].

2. Trigonella fimbriata Royle ex Benth. op. cit.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 25–30 cm. Stem erect, spreading branchy, subquadrangular, sparsely pilose. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules ovate-lanceolate, incised, 4–6 mm, pilose; petiole 3–5 mm; leaflets broadly obovate, 6–10(–12) Χ 3–6(–8) mm, base cuneate, margins irregularly double-serrate, glabrous adaxially, pilose at least on midrib abaxially. Flowers (3–)6–8(–12) in subumbellate heads; peduncles 20–40 mm, pilose, straight; pedicels 2 mm, calyx 3.5 mm, teeth subulate-lanceolate; corolla yellow, (5–)6–7 mm; ovary linear, sparsely pilose, ovules 7–9. Pod elliptic-oblong, 8–10 Χ 4 mm, both ends rounded, with crosswise veins, thin and conspicuous; seeds 2–4. Fl. and fr. Jul–Aug.

Ravine shores or meadow by woods of the Himalayan valleys; 3800–4300 m. Xizang [India, Kashmir, Nepal].

3. Trigonella cachemiriana Cambess. In Jacq. Voy. Bot. Ind. 4: 36. 1843.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 20–40 cm. Stems erect, terete, branching from base, leafy. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules of lower part triangular-lanceolate, 3–5 mm; leaflets obovate, (5–)7–12 Χ (4–)6–8 mm, base broadly cuneate, margins serrulate. Flowers (5–)8–10, in subumbellate heads; peduncles slender, 20–35 mm, straight after flowering; pedicels 1–2.5 mm; calyx 3–4 mm, teeth triangular; corolla yellow, (8–)10–12 mm, vexillum suborbicular, equal to the keel, wings short and narrow; ovary linear, ovules 10. Pod oblong, (10–)12–15(–18) Χ 4 mm, base stipitate, apex rounded, veins prominent obliquely; seeds 2–4, reniform to ovoid, 2.5–3 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.

Sandy ravine and grassland of valleys; 2400–3800 m. Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, India, Kashmir, Pakistan].

4. Trigonella monantha C. Meyer in Verz. Pfl. Cauc. 137. 1831.

Chinese  Pinyin

Trigonella geminiflora Bunge.

Annual herbs, 20–40 cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, branched at base, ridged, pilose. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules lanceolate-hastate, 5–7 mm; petioles 1–2.5 cm; leaflets oblong-obovate to obtriangular, (3–)5–12 Χ (3–)4–8 mm, base cuneate, margins above 2/3 denticulate, apex truncate, subglabrous adaxially, pilose at least on midrib abaxially, lateral veins 5–8 pairs. Flower solitary at basal part of stem axillary, 2(–3) at apical part, sessile or developed peduncles, 6–8 mm, straight with densely pilose; corolla yellow, 6–8 mm, vexillum evidently longer than wings and keel; ovary linear, style short and flat, ovules 18–24. Pod straight, cylindric, 40–50(–80) Χ 1–2 mm. Apex hooklike, appressed pubescent, veins reticulate with square or pentagon; seeds numerous, oblong-elliptic, 2 mm, brown. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jun–Aug.

Clay soils on desert, wilderness, or roadsides. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, C and SW Asia, Mongolia, Pakistan].

5. Trigonella orthoceras Kar. & Kir. in Bull. Soc. Nat. Moscow 14: 39. 1841.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 15–25(–40) cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, sub-quadrangular, sparsely pilose. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules semihastate, 5–6 mm; leaflets obovate to obovate-triangular, 6–15 Χ 3–8 mm, base cuneate, margins above 2/3 denticulate, apex truncate, glabrous adaxially, pilose at least on midrib abaxially, lateral veins 6–9 pairs. Flowers 2–5 in subumbellate heads, peduncles undeveloped, but sometimes to 3–5 mm; corolla yellow, 4–5 mm, vexillum longer than wings and keel; ovary linear, style short and flat, ovules numerous. Pod cylindric, 20–30 Χ 1–1.5 mm, appressed pubescent, veins reticulate with longitudinal meshes; seeds numerous, oblong to ovoid, 2 Χ 1 mm, brown, warty. Fl. Apr–Jun, fr. May–Jul.

Sandy slope, grasslands; 1200–1900 m. W Xinjiang [C and SW Asia, Russia (W Siberia), Pakistan].

6. Trigonella cancellata Desf. in Tab. Ecole Bot. 1: 190. 1804.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 10–20(–40) cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, branchy, puberulous. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules linear-lanceolate, dentate at base; leaflets obtriangular or obovate-triangular, (4–)7–10 Χ 4–7 mm, base cuneate, margins above half dentate, apex truncate, glabrous adaxially, appressed pubescent abaxially, lateral veins 5–8 pairs. Flowers 4–7 in umbellate heads, peduncles axillary, 10–18 mm, calyx 3–4 mm, 5-ridged obviously; corolla yellow, 5 mm, vexillum ovate-oblong, longer than wings and keel; ovary linear, ovules numerous. Pod cylindric, 15–20 Χ 1.5 mm, 4–5 in umbel, curved to semicircular, white pubescent, with hooked beak, veins reticulate crosswise; seeds 6–8, oblong, 2.5 Χ 1 mm, brown, coated deep brown warts. Fl. May–Aug, fr. Jun–Sep.

Alkaline soils on sandy slope or ravine shores. Xinjiang [C and SW Asia, Russia (W Siberia)].

7. Trigonella arcuata C. Meyer in Verz. Pfl. Cauc. 136. 1831.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 10–25 cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, terete, branching at base, scattered villous. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules lanceolate, base sub-hastate; leaflets obtriangular or obovate, 5–10 Χ 3–7 mm, base broadly cuneate, margins above half dentate, apex truncate, scabrous and glabrous adaxially, scattered villous abaxially, lateral veins 5–7 pairs, running out into teeth parallel. Flower 4–6(–8) in umbellate heads, peduncles less 5 mm, thicken, densely villous; corolla yellow, 4–5 mm; ovary linear villous, ovules numerous. Pod cylindric, 15–20 Χ 1.25–1.5 mm, 4–5 in umbel, curved falcate, scattered villous, veins reticulate crosswise, with pointed beak; seeds 7–8, oblong, 2.5 mm, brown warty. Fl. Mar–Jun, fr. May–Jul.

Alkaline soil on ravines or hillsides. Xinjiang [C and SW Asia].

8. Trigonella coerulea (L.) Ser. in DC. Prodr. 2: 181. 1825.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 30–60(–80) cm. Stems straight, thicken, terete, glabrescent, branchy. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, stipules subulate-lanceolate, petioles 1–4 cm; leaflets ovate to broadly elliptic, 15–35 Χ 4–15 mm, base cuneate or rounded, margins serrate, apex obtuse or acute, glabrous adaxially, sparsely pubescent on midrib abaxially, lateral veins 8–10 pairs. Racemes capitate or ovate, 10–25 flowered, peduncles axillary 6 cm, straight and glabrous, bracts bristle-like, 1.5 mm, pedicel 1 mm; calyx 3 mm, membranous, 5-ridged; corolla blue, 5–6 mm, vexillum longest, keel shortest; ovary ovate, glabrous, ovules 5–7. Pod ovoid, 2.5–5 Χ 2.5 mm, apex tapering and beaked, longer than the body; seeds 1–2, broadly ovoid, 2 mm, brown, tubercle. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.

Cultivated or escaped on wasteland. N, NE and NW China [native to N Africa, Asia, and Europe].

9. Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. Sp. Pl. 777. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 30–80 cm. Taproot down in earth 80 cm, fibrous roots developed. Stem erect, terete, branchy. Leaves 3-foliolate, stipules entire, membranous, base adnate to petiole, apex acute; petiole spreading, 6–15 mm; leaflets narrowly obovate, ovate, to oblong-elliptic, the terminal equal to the laterals, 15–40 Χ 4–15 mm, base cuneate, margins above half dentate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely pubescent or glabrescent abaxially, lateral veins 5–6 pairs. Flowers sessile, 1–2 axillary; calyx 7–8 mm, villous; corolla creamy or pale yellow, base violet, 13–18 mm; ovary puberulous, ovules numerous. Pod long conical, 7–12 Χ 0.4–0.5 cm, straight or slightly curved, glabrescent, apex with long beak, 2 cm, distal suture thicken, veins longitudinally reticulate; seeds 10–20, oblong-ovoid, 3–5 Χ 2–3 mm, brown, surface uneven. Fl. Apr–Jul, fr. Jul–Sep.

Cultivated throughout China, escaped in fields as a semi-wild weed in NW and SW China [Himalayan region; SW Asia].

The tender leaves and stems as vegetables, seeds used as drug for tonic medicine; dried stems, leaves and seeds mill powder mix up with flour to steam bun as fragrant agent; dried plant also used to drive out harmful insects.

00. MEDICAGO Linn. Sp. Pl. 778. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or perennial herbs, rarely shrublet. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, stipules adnate to petiole at base; leaflets denticulate, lateral veins running out into teeth. Racemes axillary, flowers crowded into heads, bracts small and caducous, calyx 5-toothed, subequal; petals free from staminal tube, vexillum oblong to obovate, usually reflexed, wings and keel with hooked appendages make the tripping mechanism for one stroke pollination; stamens diadelphous, filaments not dilated, anthers uniform; ovary sessile or short stipitate, ovules numerous, style subulate, stigma subcapitate, oblique. Pod coiled, curved, or straightly compressed, surface reticulate, sometimes armed with spines. Seed small, reniform, usually smooth, estrophiolate.

About 60 species: Africa, C and SW Asia, Europe, Mediterranean region; 13 species (one endemic, six introduced) in China.

1a.       Pod not spirally coiled.

2a.       Pod less than 3 mm, reniform, 1 seeded; flowers to 2.5 mm .......................  1. M. lupulina

2b.       Pod more than 8 mm.

3a.       Pod falcate or linear, straight or curved to arcuate, less than 3 mm wide
                                                                                                                  6. M. falcata

3b.       Pod oblong to semilunar, more than 4 mm wide.

4a.       Plant densely pubescent; flowers yellow, 5 mm ...............................  5. M. edgeworthii

4b.       Plant glabrous or slightly puberulous; flowers yellow with scarlet spot, more than 6 mm.

5a.       Pod 7–9 mm wide; stems glabrous; leaflets rather larger ...............  2. M. platycarpos

5b.       Pod less than 6 mm wide; stems ± puberulous; leaflets rather smaller.

6a.       Flowers 4–5 in scatter thyrse; leaflets obovate to rotund; stipules hastate
........................................................................................  3. M. archiducis-nicolai

6b.       Flowers 6–9(–15) in dense fascicles; leaflets cuneate-linear to oblanceolate; stipules lanceolate    4. M. ruthenica

1b.       Pod spirally coiled.

7a.       Perennial; pod spineless.

8a.       Shrubs ...................................................................................................  9. M. arborea

8b.       Herbs.

9a.       Pod tight coiled 2–4(–6) spirals, center solid or near so; flowers purple; leaflets glabrous  7. M. sativa

9b.       Pod loose coiled 1–1.5 spirals, center hollow; flowers creamy or variegated; leaflets sometimes puberulous ............................................................................................  8. M. Χvaria

7b.       Annual or biennial; pod with spines or tubercles.

10a.     Leaflets obviously hairy; pod globoid, less than 4.5 mm in diam.

11a.     Petiole shorter than peduncle, stipule entire or obscurely serrate, leaflets densely hairy; 2–10 flowered ...........................................................................................................  10. M. minima

11b.     Petiole longer than peduncle, stipule small, incised, leaflets sparsely pilose; 1–2 flowered  11. M. praecox

10b.     Leaflets glabrous or glabrescent; pod discoid, 4–10 mm in diam.

12a.     Petiole not over 2 times longer than peduncle, stipule laciniate or lacerate; leaflets without dark blotch ....................................................................................................  12. M. polymorpha

12b.     Petiole 2–5 times longer than peduncle, stipule triangular, incise to laciniate; leaflets with a dark central blotch .................................................................................................  13. M. arabica

1. Medicago lupulina Linn. Sp. Pl. 779. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or short-lived perennial herbs, 15–60 cm, pubescent or glandular. Stems prostrate or ascending, branchy, leafy. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, to 10 mm, base rotunda or hastate, often dentate, apex acuminate; petiole 1–2 cm, the cauline shorter than subtending leaflets; leaflets obovate, broadly obovate or obcordate, 5–20 Χ 4–6 mm, papery, base cuneate, margins above half obscurely serrate, apex truncate or retuse, with an apicula, pubescent on both surfaces, lateral veins to 10 pairs, even. Flowers 10–20 in small heads, peduncles slender, straight, longer than subtending leaves, densely appressed pubescent; bracts bristle-like, minute; pedicel less 1 mm, calyx 2 mm, densely hairy; corolla yellow, 2–2.2 mm, vexilum sub-orbicular, apex retuse, longer than wings and keel; ovary broadly ovate, with single ovule. Pod reniform, 3 Χ 2 mm, sculptured with concentric arcuate veins, sparsely hairy, black when ripe. Seed ovoid, brown, smooth. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.

Stream bank, roadside, waste fields and margin of woods. Throughout China [Asia, Europe].

2. Medicago platycarpos (L.) Trautv. Bull. Acad. Sci. Petersb. 8: 271. 1841.

Chinese  Pinyin

Trigonella karkarensis Semen ex Vassilczenko; Turukhania platycarpos (L.) Vassilczenko.

Perennial herbs, (25–)40–80(–100) cm. Stems erect, quadrangular, base often purplish, glabrous or puberulous. Stipules broadly triangular-lanceolate, 5–8 mm, shallowly serrate, base subhastate; petiole slender, 2.5–3.5(–5) cm, more shorter apically; leaflets broadly ovate, rounded, to broadly elliptic, (15–)20–30 Χ (8–)15–25 mm, papery, base rotunda to broadly cuneate, margins irregularly dentate, apex rounded or truncate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely hairy or glabrescent abaxially, lateral veins 10 pairs, inconspicuous. Flowers (4–)5–8(–15) in umbels; peduncle shorter or equal to the subtending leaf, slender; bracts minute, ovate with apicula, 1 mm; pedicels 3–5 mm; corolla yellow with purple stripes, bluing when dry, (7–)9–12(–14) mm, vexillum oblong-spatulate, slightly constrict in the middle; ovary linear, ovules 12–14. Pod oblong-falcate to semilunar, (10–)12–18(–24) Χ 5–9 mm, flat, dorsal suture straight, apex rotunda, short beaked, veins crosswise long-reticulate, black when ripe; seeds (5–)8–12, broadly ovoid, 3 Χ 2 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.

Ravine, meadows by margin of coniferous forest; 1200–2000 m. Xinjiang [C Asia, Mongolia (Altai), Russia (W Siberia)].

3. Medicago archiducis-nicolai Sirj. Kew Bull. Misc. Inform. 7: 270. 1928.

Chinese  Pinyin

Kamiella archiducis-nicolai (Sirj.) Vassilczenko.

Perennial herbs, 8–20 cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, slender, ridged, branchy, sparsely hairy, stipules hastate, 4–7(–10) mm, apex narrowly triangular, dentate, veins obvious; petiole 4–12 mm; leaflets broadly ovate to rotunda, 6–18 Χ 6–12 mm, papery, base rounded, margin obscurely irregular denticulate, apex truncate or retuse, glabrescent adaxially, puberulous abaxially, lateral veins 6–10 pairs, the apical leaflet and petiolule longest. Flowers 4–5 scattered in umbels axillary, peduncle slightly longer than subtending leaf; bracts 1 mm; pedicels slender, 2–5(–7) mm; corolla orange, with central mauve spot, 7–9(–10) m, vexillum obovate-elliptic, retuse; ovary linear, glabrous, ovules 7–9(–13). Pod oblong-semilunar, 10–15(–18) Χ 4–6 mm, flat, apex shortly beaked, veins crosswise reticulate, black when ripe; seeds 5–7, broadly ovoid, 2.5 Χ 1.5 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.

* Alpine slopes, valleys, and grassland; (2500–)3000–4000 m. Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang.

4. Medicago ruthenica (L.) Trautv. op. cit. 270.

Chinese  Pinyin

Melilotoides ruthenica (L.) Yakovl.

Perennial herbs, 20–70(–100) cm. Stems erect or ascending, branched at base, quadrangular. Stipules lanceolate, cuspidate, base rounded, auriculate, with 1–3 shallow denticles, apex slightly curved, veins obvious; petiole 2–7(–12) mm; leaflets varies in shape with different habitat, oblong, oblanceolate, cuneate, linear, and oblong-ovate, (6–)10–15(–25) Χ (1.5–)3–7(–12) mm, the terminal large, base cuneate, broadly cuneate, to rotunda, margins above 1/4 denticulate, or near the apex irregularly serrulate, apex truncate, obtuse, or retuse, lateral veins 8–18 pairs, prominent on both surfaces. Flowers (4–)6–9(–15) in umbels, sometimes to 2 cm, peduncles straight, usually longer than subtending leaf; bracts 1–2 mm, pedicels 1.5–4 mm; corolla brown, with scarlet to purple stripes in center, (5–)6–9 mm, vexillum oblong-obovate, obcordate, or spatulate, wings oblong, keel the shortest, ovate; ovary linear, ovules 4–8. Pod oblong or oblong-ovate, 8–15(–20) Χ 3.5–5(–7) mm, flat, base tapering and slightly curved, stipitate, apex obtuse with a tip, veins inclined transversely, black when ripe; seeds 2–6, elliptic-ovoid, 2 Χ 1.5 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.

Sandy soil of stream bank, slope, and grassland. Provinces N of the Huang He (Yellow River) [Mongolia, Russia (Siberia and Far East)].

5. Medicago edgeworthii Sirj. Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschr. 87: 123. 1938.

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago pubescens (Edgew. ex Baker) Sirj.

Perennial herbs, 30–40 cm. Stems erect or ascending, branched at base, terete, densely hairy. stipules ovate-lanceolate, 5–8(–10) mm, base rotund to hastate, apex acuminate, entire; petiole 2–6 mm; leaflets obovate to long obovate, (6–)10(–15) Χ (4–)7(–10) mm, base broadly cuneate, margins above half serrulate, apex rounded, with a tip, scattered pubescent on both surfaces, especially dense on midrib abaxially, lateral veins 8–13 pairs, straightly running to the teeth. Flower (1–)2–3(–6) scattered in heads axillary, peduncles slightly longer than leaves; bracts 1.5 mm, pedicels less 2 mm; corolla yellow, 5 mm, ovary oblong, densely tomentose, ovules 12–14. Pod oblong, 12–16 Χ 4–5 mm, flat, densely appressed pubescent, base rotund, sessile, apex acute, shortly beaked, veins transverse tightly, sutures obvious, seeds 10–12. Seed ovate-elliptic, dark brown, 2 Χ 1 mm, smooth. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.

Grasslands, open fields, and roadsides; 2500–3500 m. Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Pakistan].

6. Medicago falcata Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 779. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, (20–)40–100(–120) cm. Stems erect or ascending, terete, branchy. stipules lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, base hastate, apex acuminate; leaflets obovate to linear, (5–)8–15(–20) Χ (1–)2–5(–10) mm, base cuneate, margins apically one fourth serrulate, apex rounded, with a mucro, obtuse, or acute, glabrous or appressed puberulent adaxially, hairy abaxially. Racemes 10–20(–40) mm, with 6–20(–25) flowers crowded; peduncles axillary, straight, equal or slightly longer than leaves; bracts 1 mm, pedicels 2–3 mm; corolla yellow, 6–9(–11) mm, vexillum long obovate; ovary linear, ovules 2–5. Pod falcate or straight, (8–)10–15 Χ 2.5–3.5(–4) mm, appressed puberulent, veins oblique and thin, seeds 2–4. Seed ovate-elliptic, 2 Χ 1.5 mm, brown, fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.

Grassy places, slopes, ravines, dry sandy fields. Xinjiang, and N, NE, and NW China [Asia, Europe].

1a. Stems ascending, appressed puberulent; leaflets obovate to linear oblanceolate, margins apically one fourth serrulate, apex obtuse, mucronulate, glabrous adaxially, appressed puberulent abaxially, lateral veins 12–15 pairs; pod falcate ..........................................................................  6a. subsp. falcata

1b. Stems erect, densely yellow tomentose; leaflets linear, margins 2–3 serrate, sparsely appressed pubescent adaxially, densely tomentose abaxially, lateral veins 5–7 pairs; pod straight ....  6b. subsp. romanica

6a. Medicago falcata subsp. falcata

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago sativa Linnaeus subsp. falcata (Linnaeus) Arcangeli.

Stems ascending, appressed puberulent. Leaflets obovate to linear oblanceolate, margins apically one fourth serrulate, apex obtuse, mucronulate, glabrous adaxially, appressed puberulent abaxially, lateral veins 12–15 pairs; pod falcate.

Grassy places, slopes, ravines, dry sandy fields. N, NE, and NW China [Asia, Europe].

6b. Medicago falcata subsp. romanica (Brandza) Schwartz & Klinkowski in Verhand. Bot. Ver. Prov. Brandenb. 2: 180. 1933.

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago romanica Brandza, Prod. Fl. Rom 1: 617. 1879.

Stems erect, densely yellow tomentose; leaflets linear, margins 2–3 serrate, sparsely appressed pubescent adaxially, densely tomentose abaxially, lateral veins 5–7 pairs; pod straight.

Dry grasslands, slopes. Xinjiang [C Asia to W Siberia, E Europe].

7. Medicago sativa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 778. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago asiatica Sinsk. subsp. sinensis Sinsk.; M. beipinensis Vass.; M. afghanica (Bord.) Vass.; M. tibetana (Alef.) Vass.

Perennial herbs, 30–100 cm. Stems erect, ascending thickly, and prostrate, quadrangular, glabrous or puberulent, branchy and leafy. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, base entire or with 1–2 denticles, apex acute; leaflets long ovate, obovate, to linear-ovate, (5–)10–25(–40) Χ 3–10 mm, papery, base tapering, margins one third serrulate apically, glabrous adaxially, appressed pubescent abaxially, lateral veins 8–10 pairs, apex rounded, mucronate with a denticle from midrib. Heads or racemes with 5–30 flowers, 1–2.5 cm; peduncles straight, longer than the leaves; bracts equal to pedicels, 2 mm; corolla variable in color, yellow, deep blue, to dark purple, vexillum oblong, retuse; ovary linear, ovules numerous. Pod tightly coiled 2–4(–6) spirals, 5–9 mm in diam., the center solid or near so, veins thin and inconspicuous, brown when ripe, seeds 10–20. Seed ovoid, 1–2.5 mm, yellow or brown, smooth. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jun–Aug.

Cultivated throughout China, often escaped to roadsides, fields, grasslands, and stream banks [native to ??; now cosmopolitan].

8. Medicago Χvaria Martyn, Fl. Rustica 3: 87. 1792.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 60–80(–120) cm. Stems erect, prostrate, or ascending, quadrangular, branchy. Stipules lanceolate, base obscurely dentate, apex acuminate. Leaflets oblong-obovate to elliptic, papery, 10–20(–25) Χ (3–)5–10 mm. Base rounded or broadly cuneate, margins above half shallowly serrate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely appressed puberulent abaxially, lateral veins 8 pairs. Flowers 8–15 in capitate racemes crowded, then dispersed in anthesis; peduncles straight, longer than the leaves; bracts shorter than pedicels; corolla variable in color when flowering, 9–10(–11) mm, vexillum oblong-ovate, usually with colored stripes, retuse; ovules 6–8. Pod loose coiled (0.5–)1–1.5(–2) spirals, (4–)7–9(–12) mm in diam., the center hollow, veins inconspicuous, seeds 3–6. Seed ovoid, brown. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr.??.

Cultivated [of hybrid origin].

This is a hybrid between Medicago sativa and M. falcata.

9. Medicago arborea Linn. Sp. Pl. 778. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Rhodusia arborea (L.) Vass.

Shrubs, 1–2(–4) m, pale yellow sericeous; bark split longitudinally. Stems erect, terete. Stipules narrowly triangular, acute, entire, 5–8 mm, petioles 2–4 cm; leaflets obovate to obcordate, 10–18 Χ 8–14 mm, base broadly cuneate, margins entire, apex obtuse or retuse, glabrous adaxially, sericeous abaxially, lateral veins 5–7 pairs. Flowers 6–10 scattered in racemes, 2–2.5 cm; peduncles axillary, 3–5 cm, densely silky; bracts 2 mm, pedicels 5 mm; corolla orange, 12–15 mm; ovary stipitate, ovules 12–15. Pod loose coiled 0.5–1.5 spirals, 12–15 mm in diam., center hollow, appressed pubescent, veins radially reticulate, netted in external circle. Seed reniform, 4 mm. Fl. May.

Cultivated as an ornamental [introduced from Mediterranean].

10. Medicago minima (Linn.) Grufb. In Linn. Amoen. 4: 105. 1759.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 5–30 cm, spreading hairy, sometimes mixed with glandular. Stems diffuse, prostrate or ascending, branched at base. Stipules ovate, base rounded, margins entire or obscurely shallow serrate, apex acute; petioles slender, 5–10(–20) mm; leaflets obovate, 5–8(–12) Χ 3–7 mm, papery, base cuneate, margins one third serrulate apically, apex rotunda or retuse, with an apicula, villous on both surfaces. Flowers 3–6(–8) scattered in capitate racemes, peduncles slender and straight; pedicels short or sessile; corolla pale yellow, 3–4 mm, vexillum broadly ovate, longer than wings and keel. Pod globoid, tight coiled 3–5 spirals, 2.5–4.5 mm in diam.; spines straight with hooked tip, equal to radius of pod. Seed long reniform, 1.5–2 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Mar–Apr, fr. Apr–May.

Sandy slope, waste fields, and stream bank. Provinces N of the Chang Jiang [Asia, Europe, Africa].

11. Medicago praecox DC. Cat. Pl. Hort. Monsp. 123. 1813.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, (5–)10–20(–50) cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, quadrangular, branched at base, sparsely hairy. Stipules ovate, incised or lacerate; leaflets obovate or obcordate, (2–)4–8(–12) Χ (2–)5–9(–13) mm, papery, base broadly cuneate, margins merely obscure serrate apically, apex truncate or emarginate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely hairy abaxially. Flowers 1–2 in umbel axillary, usually but one bear fruit; peduncles shorter than petiole, bracts 1.5 mm, pedicels less 1 mm; corolla yellow, 3–4 mm, vexillum broad orbicular, ovary linear. Pod discoid, scarlet to dark brown, loose coiled 2–4(–5) spirals, 3–4 mm in diam., coil edge wide, deep groove observious [??=obvious], spines 10 in each row. Seed reniform, brown, 2–2.8 Χ 1–1.3 mm. Fl. Mar–Apr, fr. May.

Introduced and cultivated [original N Mediterranean].

12. Medicago polymorpha Linn. Sp. Pl. 779. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or biennial herbs, 20–90 cm. Stems prostrate or ascending, branched at base, subquadrangular, glabrescent. Stipules ovate-oblong, 4–7 mm, base auriculate, margins irregularly laciniate, filiform, or deep incised, apex acuminate; petioles long and thin, 1–5 cm; leaflets obovate or triangular-obovate, 7–20 Χ 5–15 mm, papery, base broadly cuneate, margins one third shallow serrate apically, apex obtuse, truncate or emarginate, apiculate, glabrous adaxially, sparsely hairy abaxially. Flowers (1–)2–10 in racemes axillary; peduncles slender, 3–15 mm, usually longer than the leaves; pedicel less 1 mm; corolla yellow, 3–4 mm, vexillum obovate, emarginate. Pod discoid, ash-green to greenish brown, tightly coiled 1.5–2.5(–6) spirals, turning clockwise, 4–6(–10) mm in diam., radial veins connected near the edge on coil face, spines or tubercles 15 in each row, seed reniform, 2.5 Χ 1.25 mm, brown, smooth. Fl. Mar–May, fr. May–Jun.

Cultivated or escape to fields, hillside and roadside. Provinces S of the Chang Jiang, Gansu, Shaanxi [S Europe, SW Asia].

13. Medicago arabica (Linn.) Hudson, Fl. Angl. ed. 1:288. 1762.

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago polymorpha Linn. var. arabica Linn. Sp. Pl. 780. 1753; M. maculata Willd.; M. oxalioides Schur.

Annual herbs, 40–65 cm. Stems decumbent or spreading, longitudinally ridged, sparsely simple and multicellular glandular hairy, especially obvious on the knob. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, 5–12 mm, incised to 6–8 deep lobed; petioles slender, 2–8(–12) cm; leaflets obcordate to broadly obovate, 7–25(–30) Χ 14–32 mm, base broadly cuneate, margins subentire or shallowly serrate, apex rounded or emarginate, usually with a deep colored patch at center, glabrous adaxially, sparsely hairy abaxially. Flowers (1–)2–5(–6) in racemes axillary, peduncles shorter than the petioles over two times, with a terminal cusp; bracts 1 mm, pedicels more or equal to bracts; corolla yellow, 5–6.5 mm, vexillum broadly obovate, retuse. Pod cylindric to globoid, tightly coiled 3–7 spirals, turning counterclockwise, 5–7 mm in diam., 5–8 radial veins on coil face, spines 13–15 in each row. Seed oblong-elliptic, 2.5–3.5 Χ 1.2–1.5 mm, yellowish brown, smooth. Fl. Mar–May, fr. May–Jun.

Cultivated, rather moist stream bank, grassland. Provinces S of The Chang Jiang [originally Mediterranean].

00. MELILOTUS Miller, Gard. Dict., Abridg. ed. 4. 1754.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or biennial herbs, upright. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, stipules entire or near so, basally adnate to petiole, leaflets serrulate, stipules absent, lateral vein running out into teeth. Racemes axillary, elongate, flowers numerous scattered on axis; bracts minute, bracteoles absent; calyx subequally 5-teethed; petals free from staminal tube, deciduous; vexillum ovate-oblong, wings narrowly oblong, keel broadly falcate; stamens diadelphous, filaments not dilated, anthers uniform; ovary sessile or short stipitate, ovules 2–8, style thin and long, in curved upwards, often persistent. Pod ovoid or globoid, slightly exert from calyx, covered with network, wavy veins, or wrinkles, seeds 1–2. Seed broadly ovoid, smooth or warty.

About twenty species: temperate and subtropical N Africa, Asia, and Europe; four species in China.

These are fragrant herbs grown as green manure, forage crops, or bee plants.

1a.       Stipules lanceolate, base hastate and split into several teeth or incised; leaflet serrulate with 15–20 teeth on each margin; pod gibbous thicken on ventral suture
                                                                                                                                             3. M. dentata

1b.       Stipules subulate, base entire or 1–3 minute teeth; leaflet obscure serrulate with less 15 teeth on each margin; pod not gibbous on ventral suture.

2a.       Stipules with membranous margin basally, auriculate, sometimes 2–3 minute teeth; flower yellow, less 3 mm, pedicel short, pod globoid, 2 mm ..........................................................  4. M. indica

2b.       Stipules without membranous margin, sometimes 1 tooth basally, a middle vein obvious; flower more than 3 mm; pod ovoid, more than 3 mm.

3a.       Corolla yellow; stipules linear-falcate; pod rounded apically ..................  2. M. officinalis

3b.       Corolla white; stipules long subulate; pod acute apically .................................  1. M. alba

1. Melilotus alba Medic. Ex Desr. in Lam. Encycl. Meth. 4: 63. 1797.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual or biennial herbs, 70–200 cm. Stems erect, terete, hollow, branchy, glabrescent. Stipules subulate, 6–10 mm, entire; petiole slender, shorter than leaflet; leaflets oblong or oblanceolate-oblong, 15–30 Χ (4–)6–12 mm, margins shallowly serrate, lateral veins running into teeth, 12–15 pairs, glabrous adaxially, puberulent abaxially. Racemes 8–20 cm, scattered 40–100 flowers; bracts 1.5–2 mm, pedicels 1–1.5 mm; corolla white, 4–5 mm, ovary narrowly ovate, ovules 3–4. Pod elliptic to oblong, 3–3.5 mm, acute, beaked; veins netted, thin, brown, dark when ripe, seeds 1–2. Seed ovoid, brown, warty. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul–Sep.

Moist soil of fields, roadsides, and waste places. N, NE, NW, and SW China [Asia, Europe].

2. Melilotus officinalis (Linn.) Pall. Reise 3: 537. 1776.

Chinese  Pinyin

Melilotus graveolens Bunge; M. officinalis f. suaveolens (Ledeb.) Ohashi & Tateishi; M. suaveolans Ledeb.; Trifolium officinalis Linn. Sp. Pl. 765. 1753.

Biennial herbs, 40–100(–250) cm. Stems erect, longitudinally ridged, sparse puberulent. Stipules linear-falcate, 3–5(–7) mm, entire or 1 tooth at base, petioles slender; leaflets obovate, broadly ovate, oblanceolate, to linear, 15–25(–30) Χ 5–15 mm, margins shallowly serrate, lateral veins running into teeth, 8–12 pairs. Racemes 6–15(–20) mm, 30–70 flowered, dense at first, becoming lax in anthesis, axis elongated obviously; bracts equal to pedicels, 1 mm; corolla yellow, 3.5–7 mm, vexillum obovate, subequal to wings and keel; staminal tube often persistent after flowering and involve the pod; ovary narrowly ovate, ovules (4–)6(–8). Pod ovoid, 3–5 Χ 2 mm, apex with persistent style; veins transversely reticulate, dark brown, seeds 1–2. Seed ovoid, 2.5 mm, yellowish brown, smooth. Fl. May–Sep, fr. Jun–Oct.

Sandy grasslands, hillside, ravine shores, and margins of mixed woods, N, NE, and SW China, commonly cultivated in other provinces [Asia, Europe].

3. Melilotus dentata (Waldst. & Kit.) Pers. Syn. Pl. 2: 348. 1807.

Chinese  Pinyin

Biennial herbs, 20–50(–80) cm. Stems erect, terete, longitudinally ridged, glabrous. Stipules lanceolate to narrowly triangular, 6–12 mm, base hastate, with 2–3 teeth or incised; petioles slender, usually shorter than leaflets; leaflets oblong-lanceolate to suborbicular, 20–30 Χ 5–13 mm, base rounded or cuneate, apex rotunda, apiculate, lateral veins 15–20 pairs, parallel and branching into teeth, prominent on both surfaces, especially obvious near the margins. Racemes 3–5 cm, elongated to 8–10 cm when fruiting, scattered 20–50 flowers, pedicels 1.5 mm; corolla yellow, 3–4 mm, vexillum oblong, slightly longer than wings and keel; ovary narrowly ovate, ovules 2. Pod globoid to ovoid, 4–5 Χ 2–2.5 mm, veins netted, gibbous on ventral suture, brown, seeds 1–2. Seed globoid, 1.5 mm in diam., olive green. Fl. Jul–Sep.

Woodland margins, alkaline meadows. N and NE China [Mongolia, Russia (Siberia); C Asia, Europe].

1a. Leaflets oblong-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, serrulate conspicuously; stipules with 2–3 teeth at base .......................................................................................................................  3a. subsp. dentata

1b. Leaflets suborbicular, margins obscurely serrate shallow and sparse, almost entire; stipules only of the basal part incised .............................................................................................  3b. subsp. sibirica

3a. Melilotus dentata subsp. dentata

Chinese  Pinyin

Trifolium dentatum Waldst. & Kit. Pl. Rar. Hurg. 1: 41. 1802.

Leaflets oblong-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, serrulate conspicuously; stipules with 2–3 teeth at base.

Woodland margins, alkaline meadows. N and NE China [Mongolia, Russia (Siberia); C Asia, Europe].

3b. Melilotus dentata subsp. sibirica (O. E. Schulz) Kitagawa Lin. Fl. Manch. 290. 1939.

Chinese  Pinyin

Melilotus dentatus prol. sibiricus O. E. Schulz in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 29: 689. 1901; M. dentata Χ M. alba.

Leaflets suborbicular, margins obscurely serrate shallow and sparse, almost entire; stipules only of the basal part incise.

N China [Mongolia, Russia (E Siberia)].

4. Melilotus indica (Linn.) All. Fl. Pedem. 1: 308. 1785.

Chinese  Pinyin

Melilotus parviflora Desf.; Trifolium indica Linn. Sp. Pl. 765. 1753.

Annual herbs, 20–50 cm. Stems erect, ascending zigzag, terete, branching from base, becoming glabrescent. Stipules lanceolate, 4–6 mm, margin membranous, base auriculate, with 2–3 tiny teeth. Leaflets obovate-cuneate to narrowly oblong, 10–25(–30) Χ 8–10 mm, base cuneate, margins above two third serrulate, apex obtuse or truncate, sometimes retuse, glabrous adaxially, appressed hairy abaxially, lateral veins 7–9 pairs, parallel running into teeth, flat on both surfaces. Racemes slender, 1.5–4 cm, peduncles long, with 15–25 flowers, bracts filiform, pedicels 1 mm; corolla yellow, 2.2–2.8 mm, vexillum broadly ovate, retuse, equal to wings and keel, or sometimes the keel slightly exert; ovary narrowly ovate, ovules 2. Pod globoid, 2 mm, slight exert from calyx, covered distinguish networks, olive green, becoming red brown when ripe, 1 seeded. Seed broadly ovoid, 1.5 mm, dark brown. Fl. Mar–May; fr. May–Jun.

Open place, alkaline soil of meadow, and roadsides. C, S, and SW of China [Bangladesh, Europe, India, Near East, Pakistan].

00. TRIFOLIUM Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 764. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Ursia Vass.

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves digitally 3-foliolate, rarely 5–9; stipules entire, partly adnate to petiole; leaflets denticulate. Flowers subsessile or with short pedicels, in head, short racemes, umbel, or sometimes solitary; bracts small or absent, often connate into a dentate and membranous involucre; calyx-teeth subequal or the distal longer, the proximal 2 teeth ± connate, after flowering strongly inflated, reticulate, calyx-tube distinguished with veins 5, 10, 20 rarely to 30; corolla various colored, glabrous and persistent; filaments dilated at the apex; anthers uniform; ovary with 2–8 ovules. Pod indehiscent, enclosed by the marcescent calyx and petals, rarely exert a litter, seeds 1–2, rarely 4–8. Seed various-shaped, in spreading it join together with persistent calyx or the capitate as a whole.

About 250 species: temperate and subtropical Africa, America, Asia, and Europe, but absent from Oceania; 13 species (nine introduced) in China.

1a.       Stipules almost completely connect to petiole.

2a.       Stem erect; leaflets 5–7; flowers 20–35 in capitate ..................................  1. T. lupinaster

2b.       Stem prostrate or decumbent; leaflets 3; flowers 1–5 in umbel.

3a.       Stem prostrate, thick and short; leaflet with 6 pairs of lateral veins ............  2. T. eximium

3b.       Stem decumbent, thin and long; leaflets with 20 pairs of lateral veins .......  3. T. gordeievi

1b.       Stipules partly adnate to petiole.

4a.       Petiole slender, shorter than leaflet; flower less 6 mm, ovary stipitate.

5a.       Stem prostrate, subglabrous; flowers 5–15 scattered in lax head; pedicels longer or equal to calyx-tube                                                                                                                    8. T. dubium

5b.       Stem erect or ascending, appressed pubescent; flowers 20–40 crowded in tight head; pedicels shorter than calyx-tube.

6a.       Stipules equal to petioles, petiolules equal in length; pedicel less 1 mm, calyx 2.5–3.5 mm, sparsely hairy .....................................................................................................  6. T. strepens

6b.       Stipules obviously shorter than petioles; apical petiolule rather longer; pedicels 1–1.5 mm, calyx 2 mm, glabrous ............................................................................................  7. T. campestre

4b.       Petiole, especially the basal ones, much longer than leaflet; flower more than 6 mm, ovary sessile.

7a.       The proximal lip of calyx inflated bubbly in fruiting, reticulate, 2 proximal teeth longer than 3 distal teeth                                                                                                              9. T. fragiferum

7b.       Calyx not inflated when fruiting, teeth subequal or the distal one longest.

8a.       Flowers pedicellate, bracts present; glabrous inside calyx-throat.

9a.       Stem procumbent, rooting at nodes; peduncles 6–20 cm; calyx with 10 veins, teeth shorter than tube                                                                                                                4. T. repens

9b.       Stem erect; peduncles 5 cm; calyx with 5 veins, teeth equal or longer than tube  5. T. hybridum

8b.       Flowers subsessile, bract absent; inside calyx-throat with a thicken hairy ring.

10b.     Floral heads not pedunculate, base on apical stipule, ovoid to subglobose, 1.5–2.5 cm, not subtended by involucre; calyx pilose; stipule-blade subulate ..............  12. T. pratense

10a.     Floral heads pedunculate, elongated in flowering.

11a.     Head conic to cylindric, 3–5 cm, without involucre; calyx hirsute densely, stipule-blade obtuse-triangular ..................................................................................  10. T. incarnatum

11b.     Head ovoid or globose, 1.2–2.5 cm; stipule-blade lance-acuminate.

12a.     Head without involucre; calyx glabrous or sparsely hairy ...............  11. T. medium

12b.     Head subtended by involucre; calyx sericeous .......................  13. T. alexandrium

1. Trifolium lupinaster Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 766. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 30–60 cm. Stems erect, branched at apical part. Leaves digitally (3–)5(–9) foliolate; stipules connect in most part as sheath, membranous, apex triangular lanceolate; leaflet lanceolate to linear-oblong, 25–50 Χ 5–16 mm, base narrowly cuneate, apex acute, lateral veins more 50 pairs, running into margin serrulate, petiolule 1 mm. Flowers 20–35 gathered in terminal head and axillary near the tip; peduncle 1–3(–5) cm, apex with a membranous involucre, caducous; calyx 6–10 mm, villous, with 10 veins, teeth filiform, longer than tube; corolla purple, red, yellow or white, (10–)12–17 mm; ovary stipitate, glabrous, ovules 5–8. Pod oblong, 6 Χ 2.5 mm, except persistent style, gray-brown, seeds (2–)3–6. Seed ovoid, 1.5 mm in diam., olive green, smooth. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.

Forest margins, hillsides, moist lowlands. Hebei, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Xinjiang, and NE China{??Provinces} [Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia].

1a. Flowers purple to pale red; leaflets rather wide; calyx-teeth 2 times longer than tube  1a. var. lupinaster

1b. Flowers yellow to white, calyx-teeth slightly longer than tube; leaflets rather narrow  1b. var. albiflorum

1a. Trifolium lupinaster var. lupinaster

Chinese  Pinyin

Flowers purple to pale red, calyx-teeth 2 times longer than tube; leaflets rather wide.

Forest margins, hillsides, moist lowlands. Hebei, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Xinjiang, and NE China{??Provinces} [Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia].

1b. Trifolium lupinaster var. albiflorum Ser. in DC. Prodr. 2: 204. 1825.

Chinese  Pinyin

Trifolium lupinaster f. albiflorum (Ser.) P. Y. Fu & Y. A. Chen.

Flowers yellow to white, calyx-teeth slightly longer than tube; leaflets rather narrow.

Forest margins, hillsides, moist lowlands. ??Provinces [??distribution].

2. Trifolium eximium Stephan ex DC. Prodr. 2: 203. 1825.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 3–15 cm. Stems prostrate, 3–10 branches ascend from rhizome. Stipule at basal part sheathlike embrace the stem, the cauline ovate-oblong to lanceolate, mostly connect with petiole, apex acute, submembranous; leaflets obovate-elliptic, 5–12 Χ 4–9 mm, base broadly cuneate, apex obtuse, lateral veins 6 pairs, divided and exert out of margins serrulate. Flowers 1–5 in umbel axillary, peduncles 5–40 mm, apex narrowly circular involucre; pedicels 1–4 mm, calyx 6–8 mm, with 10 veins; corolla red, 18–20 mm, ovules 6–8. Pod flat, to 15 mm, seeds 3–5. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.

Moist belt beside subalpine coniferous forests, rocky places of alpine cold valleys or under glacier lines; above 1500 m. N Xinjiang, [Mongolia, Russia (Siberia)].

3. Trifolium gordeievi (Kom.) Z. Wei in Bull. Bot. Res. 9: 82. 1980.

Chinese  Pinyin

Medicago gordejevi Kom. Key Pl. Far-East. Reg. URSS. 2: 661. 1932; Trigonella gordejevi (Kom.) Grossh; Ursia gordejevi (Kom.) Vass.

Perennial herbs, 40–80 cm. Stems decumbent, slender, branchy, thin ridged, sparsely brown villous, becoming glabrescent. Stipules lanceolate, entire, mostly connect to petiole, base embrace as sheath, apex free blade subulate, membranous. Leaflets lance-obovate, (5–)8–15(–18) Χ 4–8(–12) mm, base tapering, apex rounded, retuse, lateral veins 18–24 pairs, prominent on both surfaces. Flowers 1–3 in umbel axillary, involucre elapsed, peduncles equal to leaves, bracts minute, caducous, pedicels (3–)5–7(–9) mm; calyx 8–9 Χ 2 mm, with 10 veins, teeth subulate, 2–3 times longer than tube, brown villous; corolla begin in white, then to red, and finally purple, 14–16 mm, vexillum oblanceolate-elliptic, with a short claw, wings and keel a little shorter, with long claw equal to lambs; ovary stipitate, ovules 4. Pod ovate-oblong, 8–9 Χ 3 mm, flat, apex with hooked beak, enclosed by marcescent perianth, seeds 2. Seeds wide ovoid. Fl. Jun–Sep.

Cold coniferous forests, rocky stream banks; 500–800 m. Heilongjiang, Jilin [Russia].

4. Trifolium repens Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 767. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Short-lived perennials, growing 5 years, 10–30 cm. Stems decumbent, ascending apically, rooting at nodes, glabrous. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, membranous, base fused embrace stem, free blade acute; petiole 10–30 cm; leaflets obovate to subrotund, 8–20(–30) Χ 8–16(–25) mm, base tapering, apex emarginate to rotund, lateral veins 13 pairs, prominent on both surfaces; petiolule 1.5 mm. Flowers 20–50(–80) crowded in terminal head, globoid, 1.5–4 cm in diam.; peduncles longer twice than petioles; involucre absent; bracts subulate, membranous, pedicels 1–5 mm, after flowering pendulous; calyx with 10 veins, teeth shorter than tube; corolla white, cream, or tinged with pink, 7–12 mm, fragrant, vexillum elliptic, twice longer than wings and keel; ovary sessile, ovules 3–4. Pod oblong, usually 3 seeded. Seed wide ovoid. Fl. and fr. May–Oct.

Cultivated and escaped, grasslands, ravines, roadsides. Throughout China [native to N Africa {??and SW Asia} and Europe].

5. Trifolium hybridum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 766. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Short-lived perennials, growing 3–5 years, 30–60 cm. Stems erect or ascending, ridged vertically, sparsely puberulent or glabrescent. Stipules ovate to ovate-lanceolate, with 5–6 veins, base shortly fused, free blade long acuminate, tip caudate; l petioles from basal part of stem rather long, and shorter from apical parts of stem; leaflets broadly elliptic, sometimes ovate-elliptic or obovate, 1.5–3 Χ 1–2 cm, base broadly cuneate, margins irregularly serrulate, sharp dentate at basal edges, apex obtuse, sometimes retuse, lateral veins 20 pairs; petiolule 1 mm. Flowers peduncles 4–7 cm, involucre absent, bracts 0.5 mm; pedicels short, pendulous; calyx with 5 veins; corolla pink to white, 7–9 mm, vexillum elliptic, longer than wings and keel; ovary linear, ovules 2. Pod elliptic, seeds 2. Seed small, olive green to brown. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.

Cultivated and escaped, forest margins, ravine grasslands. NE China{??Provinces} [native to Europe {??and}].

6. Trifolium strepens Crantz. Stirp. Austr. 5: 411. 1769.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, (10–)20–40 cm. Stems erect or ascending, branched at middle, appressed puberulent. Stipules lance lanceolate, 1–1.5 cm, base adnate to petiole, apex long acuminate, equal to petiole; leaflets obovate-oblong, 10–17 Χ 5–8 mm, papery, base broadly cuneate, margins above half obscurely serrate, apex obtuse, lateral veins 10–18 pairs. Flowers 25–40 crowded in globose racemes, in anthesis spreading to cylindric, 1.5–2 cm; peduncles axillary at apical part of stem, 2–3 cm; calyx 2.5–3.5 mm, distal 3 teeth longer than proximal 2, tube short, with 5 veins; corolla yellow, then become brown, 5–6 mm, vexillum elliptic. Pod narrowly ovoid, 2.5–3 mm, stipitate, apex with persistent style, seed single. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul.

Cultivated. ??Provinces [native to C and N Europe].

7. Trifolium campestre Schreber in Sturm, Deutschl. Fl. 1: 16. 1804.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 10–30 cm. Stems prostrate and ascending. Stipules ovate to oblong, 5–8 mm, acuminate; petiole 5–10 mm; leaflets obovate to oblong-elliptic, 8–16 Χ 4–8 mm, base cuneate, margins above half denticulate; lateral veins 5–8 pairs; terminal petiolule 3–7 mm. Flowers 20–40 imbricate in globose or cylindric racemes, 8–13 Χ 7–10 mm, after flowering reflexed and pendulous; peduncles 1–3 cm, pedicels 1 mm; calyx 2 mm, membranous, white, 5 veins; corolla cream, pale yellow, turning brown, (3–)5–6 mm, vexillum broadly spatulate, with stripes. Pod long ovoid, 3 mm, with 1 mm stipe, seed 1. Seed convex ovoid, 1 mm. Fl. and fr. Feb–Apr.

Cultivated [native to SW Asia, E Europe, and Mediterranean region].

8. Trifolium dubium Sibth. Fl. Oxon 231. 1794.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, (5–)10–30(–40) cm. Stems decumbent, slender, sparsely puberulent at apical parts. Stipules obliquely ovate, 4–8 mm, base rotund, margins ciliated, apex acute; petiole 6–10 mm; leaflets obovate, 5–10(–12) Χ 3–8 mm, papery, base broadly cuneate, margins above half obscurely serrulate, apex retuse, glabrous on both surfaces, lateral veins 6–8 pairs, terminal petiolule rather longer. Flowers 5–15 scattered in head axillary; peduncles 0.5–3(–4) cm, pubescent; pedicels less 1 mm, after flowering pendulous; calyx 2 mm, veins 5; corolla bright yellow, turning brown. Pod oblong, 1.5–2 mm, with 1 mm stipe, shortly beaked. Fl. and fr. Apr–Sep.

Cultivated in pastures [native to Europe {??and}].

9. Trifolium fragiferum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 772. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 10–30(–50) cm. Stems prostrate or decumbent, rooting at nodes, glabrous except the calyx. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, membranous, base fused as sheath, free blade narrowly lanceolate, tip caudate, 1–2 veins on each side; petioles 5–10 cm; leaflets obovate to obovate-elliptic, (5–)10–25 Χ 5–15 mm, base broadly cuneate, apex rotund, retuse, lateral veins 10–15 pairs, glabrous on both surfaces or sparsely puberulent on midrib; petiolule 1 mm. Flowers 10–30 crowded in hemispheric or ovoid head, 1–3 cm; peduncles twice longer than petioles; bracts 10–12 developed into a connected involucre, lobes lanceolate; calyx 10 veins, teeth filiform, the proximal 2 and above half of the tube densely sericeous, this part in fruiting strongly inflated as bubble; corolla yellow to pink, 6–8 mm, vexillum oblong, ovary wide ovoid. Pod ovate-oblong, hide at the bottom of bubbly calyx, seeds 1–2, oblate. Fl. and fr. May–Aug.

Alkaline soils of swamps and ditches. Xinjiang [C {??and SW}Asia and Europe {??and}].

10. Trifolium incarnatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 769. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 30–100 cm. Stems erect or ascending, ridged vertically. Stipules elliptic, membranous, mostly adnate to petiole, 3–5 veins on each side, free blade broadly triangular or orbicular, hairy; leaflets broadly obovate to suborbicular, 1.5–3.5 cm, papery, base tapering to petiole, margins irregularly crenate, apex obtuse, sometimes retuse, lateral veins 5–10 pairs, sparsely villous on both surfaces. Flowers 50–80(–120) crowded in cylindric racemes terminal, 3–5 Χ 1–1.5 cm; peduncles 2.5–7 cm, thicken; calyx densely hirsute, with 10 veins; corolla scarlet, crimson, or orange, 10–15 mm, vexillum narrowly elliptic, acute; ovary oblate, ovule 1. Pod ovoid, seed brown. Fl. and fr. May–Jul.

Cultivated as an adaptable forage with hopeful prospects in China [native to Mediterranean region].

11. Trifolium medium Linnaeus, Amoen. Acad. 4: 105. 1759.

Chinese  Pinyin

Perennial herbs, 20–50 cm. Stems decumbent or ascending, zigzag raise up, glabrous or sparsely appressed puberulent. Stipules lanceolate, half adnate to petiole, free blade lance-acuminate; petioles near the base of stem 5–8 cm; leaflets elliptic to broadly lanceolate, 15–60 Χ 6–30 mm, base rotund, apex obtuse, lateral veins 10–12 pairs, subglabrous on both surfaces. Flowers scattered in globose or wide ovate heads terminal; peduncles in anthesis to 3–4 cm; calyx 5–6 mm, with 10 veins, the distal tooth longest; corolla red to purple, 15–18 mm, vexillum oblong-ovate. Pod ovoid, enclosed by marcescent petals, 1 seeded. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jun–Aug.

Cultivated. ??Provinces [native to SW Asia and S Europe].

12. Trifolium pratense Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 768. 1753.

Chinese  Pinyin

Short-lived perennials, growing 2–5(–9) years, 20–70 cm. Stems erect or ascending, strong, vertically ridged, sparsely villous or glabrescent. Stipules ovate, membranous, base fused, free blade acuminate, with subulate tip; leaflets ovate-elliptic to obovate, 1.5–3.5(–5) Χ 1–2 cm, base broadly cuneate, margins obscurely crenate, apex obtuse, sometimes retuse, lateral veins 15 pairs, sparsely brown villous on both surfaces, with a V-shaped white spot. Flowers 30–70 crowded in globoid or ovoid heads terminal; peduncles short or sessile, embraces in spathaceous stipule of terminal leaf; calyx villous, with 10 veins, distal tooth twice longer than the others; corolla pink to scarlet, 12–14(–18) mm, vexillum spatulate, apex rounded, retuse; ovary elliptic, ovules 1–2. Pod ovoid, usually with a orbicular seed, flat. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.

Cultivated and escaped, woodland margins, wet meadows, roadsides [native to C Europe].

13. Trifolium alexandrinum Linnaeus, Cent. Pl. 1: 25. 1755.

Chinese  Pinyin

Annual herbs, 20–60 cm. Stems erect or ascending, ridged, branched at base, leafy, sparsely appressed puberulent. Stipules lanceolate, half adnate to petiole, with fresh green veins 4–5, free blade subulate, margins sparsely ciliate; leaflets at apical part of stem broadly elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, basal part of stem obovate, 15–50 Χ 6–15 mm, base wide cuneate to obtuse, margins on apical half serrate, apex obtuse with a short spur, rarely retuse, lateral veins 6–10 pairs, appressed pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers crowded in ovoid or conic racemes, terminal or axillary, 12–25 Χ 10–15 mm, bracts of the involucre united at base, peduncles in anthesis to 3 cm; calyx 3.5–4 mm, with 10 veins; corolla pale yellow, 8–13 mm. Pod 22–25 mm, bubble membranous, 1 yellow seeded. Fl. Apr–May, fr. May–Jun.

Cultivated [native to N Africa and SE Europe].


[1] Herbarium, Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, 10 Jiaogong Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, People’s Republic of China.