134 BRECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



ARMEBIA. THRIFT. 



This genus contains a number of ornamental plants, 

 generally well adapted to rock work. 



AriHtfria Vlllgaris, is the common Thrift of the gar- 

 den, and next to box most desirable for edgings. It is 

 rapidly multiplied by divisions of the root. It produces 

 pink flowers, in little heads or clusters in June and Ju- 

 ly ; six inches high. 



ASCLEPI AS. MILKWEED. 



[The Greek name of the xEsculapius of the Latins.] 



This genus is mainly North American, many of the 

 species are well-known as common road-side weeds ; 

 nearly all are tall-growing perennial plants, some of which 

 are worthy a place in the garden. We have about fif- 

 teen or more indigenous species. The flowers of this 

 genus produce their flowers in umbels ; all are very at- 

 tractive to butterflies and other beautiful insects, and for 

 this reason a few of the most ornamental should find a 

 place in the flower-garden. 



Ascl(pias Cornuti, formerly called A. Syriaca, is a very 

 common plant, highly odoriferous, especially in the even- 

 ing. The stems, when broken, give a copious discharge 

 of milky, viscid juice, and for this reason'it is often called 

 Milk-weed. Parkinson calls the plant Virginian silk, on 

 account of the great quantity of silk, like cotton, which 

 the capsules contain. This silky substance is an attach- 

 ment to the seed by which it may be carried to a great 

 distance in a windy day. This silk is characteristic of all 

 the species, and has been used for domestic purposes, such 

 as filling for pillows, beds, and other uses. 



