RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. [ny].06.08. Trifolium. CUL-DAR68.48-49. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2023. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.

The volume CUL-DAR68 contains notes on 'bloom'. Francis Darwin explained: "His researches into the meaning of the 'bloom,' or waxy coating found on many leaves, was one of those inquiries which remained unfinished at the time of his death. He amassed a quantity of notes on the subject". LL3: 339. See an Introduction to these folders by Christine Chua & John van Wyhe.


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Trifolium

T. pannonicum (from Kew seed) — first leaves after Bloom cotyledons orbicular; then clover-like leaves & then as before elongated leaves — all 3 cots are silvery above & below. — The lateral leaflets twist round so as to vertically with edges their plane vertical, but do not approach each other, & the terminal leaflet stands nearly vertically upright, without any twisting, & does not much arch over (like a roof) the 2 lateral leaflets.

Jun 8th Trifolium repens. lateral leaflet twist round so as to stand vertically, the midribs being at about ∟' to petiole & approach exact each other. The terminal leaflet rises up vertically without any twisting, or slopes a little over the 2 lateral leaflets like a roof; & when standing only vertically all 3 leaflets are vertical. Now 10° the terminal leaflet generally slopes over at ∟ of 45 & forms a roof; & the midrib of lateral leaflet is generally points downwards & forms angle of about 45 with petiole. —

During day midrib of lat. leaflet above or at ∟ to petiole. —

[3v]

Trifolium resupinatum fragiferum (Kew) (all 3 leaflets silvery on both sides

9° 45' exactly like sleep of T. repens & yet what difference in bloom on leaflets

T. ochroleucrum Kew (all 3 leaflets silvery on both sides)

9° 45 like T. repens, except that in no one leaf did terminal leaflet form a roof — it stood only upright & the lateral leaflets did not approach each other so closely, but it is possible that they might do & terminal leaflet later at night, for it began to go to sleep later than the T. fragiferum.


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 11 July, 2023