ASCLEPIADACEAE. 



[Vol III. 



2. Asclepias decumbens L. Decum- 

 bent Butterfly-weed. (Fig. 2901.) 



Asclepias decumbens L. Sp. PI. 216. 1753- 

 Asclepias luberosa var. decumbens Pursh, Fl. Am. 

 Sept. 1S4. 1S14. 



Hirsute-pubescent; stems decumbent, 2°-3° 

 long, the ends ascending or erect. Leaves sessile 

 or short-petioled, oblong or elliptic, obtuse at 

 the apex, narrowed and often inequilateral at 

 the base, \'-i' long, Iz'-zV' wide, the upper 

 opposite, the lower commonly alternate, the up- 

 permost very small; imibels several or numerous, 

 manj'-fiowered, racemose along the branches, 

 one usually in each of the upper axils; pedun- 

 cles stout, short; pedicels slender, somewhat 

 pubescent, about j4'long; corolla-segments ob- 

 long, acutish, dark orange, about 3" long; 

 column about ]i" high, the hoods erect, ob- 

 long, orange, slight!}- longer than the subulate 

 horn; follicles more slender than in the last. 



In dr>- fields, Illinois and Ohio to North Caro- 

 lina and Florida. ]une-Aug. 



3. Asclepias lanceolata Walt. Few- 

 flowered Milkweed. (Fig. 2902.) 



Asclepias lanceolata Walt. Fl. Car. 105. 178S. 

 A. paiipercula Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. i; iiS. 1S03. 



Nearly glabrous throughout; stem slender, usually 

 simple, naked above, 2°-4° high. Leaves opposite, 

 distant, linear or narrowly lanceolate, elongated, 

 acuminate, narrowed at the base, short-petioled, 

 4'-io' long, 2"-7" wide, roughish on the margins, 

 the primary nerves widely spreading; umbels few- 

 flowered, solitary or 2-4 at the summit; peduncles 

 about equalling the slender puberulent pedicels; 

 corolla-segments oblong, 4"-5" long, deep red; 

 column thick, about \" high; hoods obovate or ob- 

 long, obtuse, orange, 2-toothed near the base, nearl)' 

 twice the length of the anthers and longer than the 

 subulate incurved horn; anther-wings notched at 

 the base; fruiting pedicels decurved; follicles erect, 

 minutely puberulent, fusiform, about 4' long. 



In swamps, southern New Jersey to Florida and 

 Te.xas, mostly near the coast. Southern forms with 

 greatly elongated leaves may be distinct. June-.^ug. 



4. Asclepias rubra L. Red Milkweed. 

 (Fig. 2903.) 



Asclepias rubra L. Sp. PI. 217. 1753. 



Nearly glabrous throughout; stem usually sim- 

 ple, i°-4° high. Leaves opposite, rather distant, 

 short-petioled, ovate, lanceolate or the lower some- 

 times oblong, rounded or subcordate at the base, 

 gradualh- acuminate, rather firm, 3'-S' long, i'- 

 2' wide, the primary nerves wide-spreading; um- 

 bels 1-4, many-flowered; peduncles shorter than 

 or equalling the upper leaves; pedicels .slender, 

 downy, .'i'-i' long; corolla-segments and hoods 

 lanceolate-oblong, purplish red, or the hoods 

 orange-red, 3"-4" long; horns of the hoods very 

 slender, nearly straight; fruiting pedicels deflexed, 

 the follicles erect, spindle shaped, glabrous, about 

 4' long. 



In moist soil, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to 

 Florida. Louisiana and Tex.is The plant of the south- 

 ern States (A. lauri/olia Michx.), may be distinct. 

 June-July. 



