344 ASCLEPIADACE.E. (MILKWEED FAMILY.) 



corolla, the filaments united in a tube (gynostegiuni) -which encloses 

 the ovaries, and bears appendages of various forms, which are collect- 

 ively termed the stamineal crown. Anthers erect, 2-4-celled, expand- 

 ing above into a thin membrane. Pollen united in flattened waxy 

 pear-shaped masses, which are equal 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. Fruit a follicle, beeds anatropons, imbri- 

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

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

 Cotyledons leafy. 



Synopsis. 



TRIBE I. ASCLEPIADE^E. Pollen-masses 10, fixed by pairs to the cleft processes 

 of the flat or conical stigma, pendulous. 



* Stamineal crown single, 5-leaved. 



i- Lobes of the corolla reflexed. 



1. ASCLEPIAS. Leaves of the crown enclosing a horn-like appendage. 

 1. ACERATES. Leaves of the crown without appendages. 



H- -i- Lobes of the corolla erect or spreading. 



H- Stem erect. 



3. PODOSTIGMA. Lobes of the corolla erect. Stigma long-pedicelled. 



4. ANANTHERIX. Lobes of the corolla spreading. Crown arching over the stigma. 



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



*+ ++ Stem twining. 

 = Herbaceous. 



6. ENSLENIA. Leaves of the crown deeply cleft. 



7. METASTELMA. Leaves of the crown entire. 



= = Woody or fruticose. 



8. SEUTER \. Stem fruticose. Stigma conical. 



9. AMPHISTELMA. Stems woody. Stigma flat. 



* * Stamineal crown double, 

 in. PHILIBERTIA. Exterior crown annular ; the interior 5-leaved. 



TRIBE II. GONOLOBE^E. Pollen-masses 10, fixed by pairs at the angles of the 

 depressed stigma, horizontal. 



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



1. ASCLEPIAS, L. MILKWEED, SILKWEED. 



C;ilyx 5-parted. Corolla wheel-shaped, deeply 5-partecl, reflexed. Crown 

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

 Pollen-masses 10, by pairs, eacli pair occupying the contiguous cells of ad- 

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

 of the stigma. Follicle many-seeded. Seeds obovate, flat, usually comose. 

 Perennial herbs, with mostly simple (not twining) stems, and opposite alter- 

 nate or whorled leaves. Flowers in lateral (between the leaves) and terminal 

 umbels. 



