304 Apocynaceae 



Capsule oblong-ovoid or fusiform, 2-valved. Seed-coat 

 reticulated. 



1. E. venusta Gray. Simple and cymosely several-flowered 

 at the summit or corymbosely branched, 8-20 cm. high ; leaves 

 ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 1-2 cm. long, obtusish; calyx-lobes 

 very narrow to the base ; corolla bright pink with a yellow cen- 

 ter, the limb 2 cm. broad, lobes oval or obovate; anthers oblong- 

 linear; seed spherical. 



Frequent in our interior valleys. May-June. 



Family 75. APOCYNACEAE. DOGBANE FAMILY. 



Perennial herbs or rarely shrubs, mostly with acrid 

 milky juice, simple opposite or alternate exstipulate 

 leaves, and perfect regular cymose, solitary or paniculate 

 flowers. Calyx 5-parted, persistent, the lobes imbri- 

 cated in the bud. Corolla 5-parted, the lobes convo- 

 lute in the bud. Stamens as many as the lobes of the 

 corolla and alternate with them, inserted in the tube or 

 throat ; anthers linear-oblong, sagittate, 2-celled. Ovary 

 superior or its base adherent to the calyx, of 2 distinct 

 carpels, or 1-celled with 2 parietal placentae, or 2-celled ; 

 ovules few or numerous ; style simple or 2-divided ; 

 stigma simple. Fruit of 2 follicles or drupes. Seeds 

 often appendaged by a coma ; endosperm present ; 

 embryo straight. 



1. APOCYNTJM L. DOGBANE. 



Perennial herbs with opposite leaves and small white 

 or pink flowers in terminal and sometimes axillary 

 corymbed cymes. Calyx-lobes acute. Corolla campanu- 

 late, the tube beading within 5 small triangular append- 

 ages alternate with the stamens. Stamens inserted on 

 the base of the corolla ; anthers sagittate connivent 

 around the stigma and slightly adherent to it. Disk 

 5-lobed. Ovary of 2 distinct carpels ; ovules numerous 



