ASCLEPIADACE^E MILKWEED FAMILY 



Asclepias amplexicaulis, Sm. 



Lilac-green Blunt-leaved Milkweed, 



Milkweed, 

 June-August Silkweed. 



Asclepias: from the Greek name of ^Esculapius, to whom 



the genus is dedicated. 

 Amplexicaulis: from Latin signifying that the leaves clasp 



the stem. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: dry, sandy soil of the Commons. 



THE PLANT: erect; the stem two feet high or more, not 

 branched and very smooth. The milky juice is quite 

 abundant. 



THE LEAVES: a beautiful, dark green; opposite; oblong; 

 about four inches long or more; obtuse at the apex and 

 furnished with a short abrupt tip; heart-shaped and clasp- 

 ing at the base; with very wavy and entire margins. 



THE FLOWERS : as Mr. Mathews has so well described them, 

 are, "pale magenta, purple-stained green," in a loose and 

 nodding cluster at the top of the stem. Five of the petals, 

 sepal-like, turned backward at time of blooming. 



THE FRUIT: a follicle, growing singly or in pairs. 



The most beautiful milkweed on Nantucket, standing 

 erect but not stiffly in ones and twos, with bright green, 

 wavy leaves and delicately coloured flowers that hang in 

 loose clusters. 



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