236 GAMOPETALOUS EXOGENS 



Stem 2 to 4 feet high, with somewhat corymbose branches above, smoothish, 

 with pubescent lines, or sometimes coarsely tomentose-pubescent. Leaves 3 to 6 

 Inches long, often almost truncate at base; petioles % to %an inch in length. 

 Umbds rather small ; common peduncles I to 2 inches long, often densely pubescent; 

 pedicels % an inch to % in length, with lance-linear caducous brads at base ; 

 corolla reddish-purple; crown palish purple, or flesh-colored; follicles about 3 inches 

 long, pubescent. 

 Hob. Low grounds ; along streams : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



f f Leaves alternate, or the lower ones opposite. 



9. A. tllberosa, /. Hirsute; juice not milky; leaves oblong, 

 and lance-linear, subsessile; umbels numerous, in a terminal 

 corymb. 



TUBEROUS ASCLEPIAS. Butterfly-weed. Pleurisy-root. 



Stem, about 2 feet high, usually oblique or leaning, with spreading or recurved 

 branches. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long, varying from lance-linear to oblanceolate, 

 acute or obtuse, on very short petioles. Umbels often forming corymbs on the 

 curved branches ; common peduncles % an inch to an inch in length, or sometimes 

 wanting ; pedicels about % of an inch long, with subulate bracts at base ; corolla, 

 greenish-orange ; crown bright orange color ; follicles about 4 inches long, tomen- 

 tose-pubescent. 

 Hob. Sandy old fields; fence-rows, &c.: frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This showy species is worthy of a place in the flower-garden. 

 It is the only one, with us, which is not lactescent. Though formerly 

 reputed medicinal, it is now neglected. 



f f t Leaves mostly verticillate, and numerous. 



10. A. verticillslta, L. Leaves narrow-linear, with revolute 

 margins ; umbels axillary and terminal. 



VERTICILLATE ASCLEPIAS. 



Stem 1 to 2 feet high, nearly simple, slender, sometimes decumbent, pubescent 

 in lines. Leaves about 2 inches long, and scarcely a line wide, abruptly acute, 

 sessile, crowded below, sometimes in semi-verticils, or opposite, near the summit. 

 Umbels several, rather small ; common peduncles % an inch to an inch long ; pedi- 

 cels about half an inch long, with subulate-linear bracts at base ; corolla greenish- 

 white, with tinges of purple; crown white; follicUs about 2 inches long, slender, 

 somewhat ventricose, smooth. 

 Hah. Sterile hills; on serpentine rock: frequent. Fl July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This species is rather local, here, being pretty much re- 

 stricted to Serpentine banks, where it is frequent. 



338. ACERATES, Elliott. 



[Gr. a, privative, and Keras, a horn ; the hoods of the crown being without horns.] 

 Characters nearly as in Asclepias ; but the corolla not reflexed, 

 the pollen-masses more slender, suspended by longer stalks, and 

 the hooded lobes of the crown destitute of the horn-like process. 

 Leaves usually opposite; umbels simple, on short extra-axillary 

 peduncles. 



1. A. virirtiflora, Ell. Leaves various, ovate, roundish- 

 obovate, lanceolate, and linear; umbels subterminal, globose, 

 nearly sessile. 



