Bicolor lespedeza (L. bicolor) is a perennial, woody species, used mostly for erosion control and bird feed. It is adapted best to loam and clay soils.

Korean lespedeza (L. stipulacea) is an annual.

Sericea lespedeza (L. cuneata) is a perennial that is less palatable than the annual species.

Striate lespedeza (L. striata) is an annual that requires a longer growing season than Korean lespedeza.

LUPINES comprise many annual and perennial species, which grow in highly acid to neutral soils and are not tolerant of salinity: Soils are shallow to deep, gravelly loam to loam. Moist to heavy-moisture conditions are needed. Applications of mineral nutrients may be beneficial, but the lupines grow at low nutrient levels.

Species of agricultural value are grown as winter annuals. They generally are adapted to the Gulf States. Some species are toxic to livestock.

Blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) is of two types bitter blue, which is toxic to livestock, and sweet blue, which is palatable.

Yellow lupine (L. luteus) is the least hardy of the listed species.

White lupine (L. albus) is grown as a winter annual in the Southern States. It is hardier than blue lupine and yellow lupine.

MEDICKS OR BURCLOVERS comprise several species of Medicago. They grow in slightly acid to moderately alkaline soils and will tolerate salinity. They like shallow to deep, sandy loam to well-drained clay and moist conditions. They are benefited by applications of mineral nutrients when needed. They require available calcium for best growth.

Most species behave as winter annuals. They are adapted to the limestone and neutral soils of the Southern States and coastal section of California.

Black medick (M. lupulina) is the most winter hardy of the listed species. It is a winter annual in the South and a summer annual in the North. It is less exacting in its calcium requirement than the other species.

Buttonclover (M. orbicularis), California burclover (M. hispida), Spotted medick (M. arabica) see Medicks.

MUNG BEAN (Phaseolus aureus) will tolerate droughty conditions. A summer annual, it is grown mostly in Oklahoma. (See Cowpea.)

PEAVINE comprises several species of Lathyrus, which grow in slightly acid to slightly alkaline soils but are not tolerant to salinity. Soils are shallow to deep, silt loam to poorly drained clays. It needs heavy moisture. Applications of mineral nutrients may be helpful. They are best adapted to heavy, wet soils of the southern and coastal section of the Western States.

Roughpea (L. hirsutus) is a winter annual, grown mostly in the heavy, dark-colored soils of the Southern States.

Tangier pea (L. tingitanus), a winter annual, has a wide range of soil adaptation. It is used in the western coastal sections and Southern States.

RATTLEBOX many species of Crotalaria--grow in highly acid to neutral soil. They are not tolerant of salinity and require moist to heavy-moisture conditions. The plants will grow at relatively low nutrient levels, but fertilizers may be beneficial. They are summer annuals and are particularly adapted to the sandy soils of the Southern States.

Some species, toxic to livestock, are used mostly for green manure.

Lance crotalaria (C. lanceolata) see Rattlebox.

Showy crotalaria (C. spectabilis) is poisonous.

Slenderleaf crotalaria (C. intermedia), Striped crotalaria (C. mucronata (striate)) see Rattlebox.

SESBANIA (Sesbania exaltata) grows in highly acid to neutral soils.

It is tolerant of slight salinity. The soils can be of shallow to average depth and gravelly loam or well-drained clays. Moist conditions are required for seedling establishment; thereafter plants tolerate periods of drought. Applications of needed mineral nutrients are beneficial, although plants grow at a relatively low nutrient level. It is a summer annual. It is adapted to the Southern and Southwestern States.

SOYBEANS (Glycine max) grow in highly acid to slightly alkaline soils shallow to deep, fine sand to muck. They need moist to heavy-moisture conditions and do not tolerate salinity, They are benefited by the application of mineral nutrients when needed. Soybeans are adapted to most States, except dryland regions and localities where cool daily temperatures prevail.

SWEETCLOVER (Melilotus) includes two species that are widely grown. Slightly acid to moderately alkaline soils are needed. They will tolerate slight to moderate salinity and grow or, shallow to deep, gravelly loam to poorly drained clay. Moisture is needed for stand establishment; after that they will tolerate dry conditions. Fertilization may be beneficial. The plants particularly require readily available calcium.

The two important species are widely grown throughout the United States wherever the soil is neutral or sufficient lime is applied to correct acidity.

Sourclover (Melilotus indica) is a winter annual only adapted to the Gulf and Southwestern States.

White sweetclover (Melilotus alba) has biennial and annual forms. The annual forms are used as winter annuals in the South and as summer annuals in the Northern States.

Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis), a biennial, will grow under slightly more adverse climatic conditions than white sweetclover.

TREFOIL includes several perennial and annual species of Lotus. Trefoil grows in moderately acid to neutral soil. It is tolerant to salinity and grows in soils of shallow or average depth sandy loam to poorly drained clay. Moist to very moist conditions are needed. It is adapted to the Northern States and tolerates short dry periods.

Big trefoil (L. uliginosus) is less winter hardy than birdsfoot but is better adapted to swampy conditions. It is a perennial.

Birdsfoot trefoil (L. corniculatus) is more winter hardy than big trefoil. It is a perennial.

Narrowleaf birdsfoot trefoil (L. tenuis) is a perennial and is more tolerant of high salinity.

VELVETBEAN (Stizolobium deeringianum) includes several varieties that differ in maturity. They are grown as summer annuals with corn in Southern States. (See Cowpea.)

VETCHES include many species of Vicia, which grow in highly acid to slightly alkaline soils. They are tolerant of slight salinity. Shallow to deep, fine sand to poorly drained clays and moist to heavy-moisture conditions are preferred. Some species are adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions.

Common vetch (V. sativa) is a winter annual in West Coast and Southern States.

Hairy vetch (V. villosa) is a winter or summer annual. It is the most winter hardy of all vetches.

Hungarian vetch (V. pannonica), a winter annual, is grown mostly in the milder sections of the west coast.

Purple vetch (V. bengalensis) is a winter annual. It is the least hardy. It is adapted to California and Southwestern States.

Woollypod vetch (V. dasycarpa) is grown in the Gulf States and the coastal section of the Pacific States. It is a winter annual.