344 ASCLEPIADACE^. (mILKWKKI) IAMILY.) 



corolla, tlif filaiiieiits united in a lulic (gi/nnstcgium) which encloses 

 the ovarii's. and bttars ai»i>endaj:;es of various I'orius, which are collect- 

 ively termed the sUnnineal crown. Anthers erect, 'J- 1-celled, expand- 

 inj^ above into a thin membrane. roUen united in llattened waxy 

 pear-shaiH'd masses, which are eiinai in number to the cells of the 

 anthers, and fixed to the five" angular processes of the stigma by a 

 slender stalk, pendulous or horizontal. Styles 2, the thick and fleshy 

 stigma common to both. Fiiiit a follicle. Seeds anatropous, imbri- 

 cated on the thick at length free placenta, and comnuuily bearing at 

 the hilum a tuft of hairs (coma). Embryo straight in thin albumen. 

 Cotyledons leafy. 



Synopsis. 



Tribe I. ASCLKFIADE^. Pollen-masses 10, fixed by pairs to the cleft processes 

 of the flat or couical stigiua, peudulous. 



* Stamiueal Crowii single, 5-leaved. 



■t- Lobes of the corolla reflexed. 



1. ASCLEPI.\S. Leaves of the crown enclosing a horn-like appendage. 



2. AC EK AXES. Leaves of the crown without appendages. 



■1-1- Lobes of the corolla erect or spreading. 

 ++ Stem erect. 



3. PODOSTIGMA. Lobes of tlie corolla erect. Stigma loug-pedicelled. 



4. AN'ANTHERIX. Lobes of the corolla spreading. Crown arching over the stigma. 



5. ASCLEPIODORA. Lobes of the corolla spreading. Crown ascending. 



++ ++ Stem twining. 

 = Herbaceous. 

 C. ENSLENIA. Leaves of the crown deeply cleft. 



7. METASTELMA. Leaves of the crown entire. 



= = Woody or fruticose. 



8. SEUTERA. Stem fruticose. Stigma conical. 



9. AMPHISTELMA. Stems woody. Stigma flat. 



* * Stamineal crown double. 



10. PHILIHERTI.\. Exterior crown annular ; the interior .Weaved. 



Tribe H. GOXOLOIJK^. Pollen-masses 10, fixed by pairs at the angles of the 

 depre.ssed stigma, horizontal. 



11. GONOLOBUS. Crown simple, annular. Stems twining. Leaves cordate. 



1. ASCLEPIAS, L. Milkweed, Sh-kweed. 

 Calyx ."j-parted. Corolla wlieel-.sliaped, deeply 5-parted, reflexed. Crown 

 composed of 5 hooded leaves, each containing an incurved horn-like appendage. 

 Pollen-in a.<sep 10, by pairs, each pair occupying the contiguous cells of ad- 

 jacent anthers, and .suspended by a slender stalk from the projecting angles 

 of tlie stigma. Follicle many-seeded. Seeds obotate, flat, usually comose.— 

 Perennial herbs, with mostly simple (not twining) sterns, and opjiosite alter- 

 nate or whorled leaves. Flowers iu lateral (between tlie leaves) and terminal 

 umbels. 



