APOCYNACE.E 419 



simple, without stipules: flowers regular and monopetalous, solitary 

 or in cymes, 5-parted; ovary of 2 free carpels; stigmas united. About 

 1,000 species and 120 genera. 



a. Herbs erect: flowers in terminal cymes or corymbs 1. Apocynum 



aa. Half shrubby, trailing or erect plants: flowers solitary in 



axils 2. Vinca 



AAA. Cultivated house and garden shrubs: erect: leaves oppo- 

 site, or whorled in 3's 3. Nerium 



1. AP6CYNUM. Dogbane. 



Upright branching herbs, with reddish, fibrous bark: flowers small, 

 white or pink, in terminal corymbs: leaves opposite, entire, acuminate: 

 corolla bell-shaped, 5-lobed, with 5 small, triangular scale-appendages 

 within the tube, each alternating with one of the 5 stamens attached at 

 base of tube; ovaries 2, distinct; stigma 2-lobed: pods long, .slender and 

 full of seeds which are tufted with silky hairs at one end. 



A. androsaemifolium, Linn. Smooth plants, 2-4 or 5 ft. tall, with 

 branches widely spreading; stems usually purplish: leaves 2-4 in. long, 

 ovate-acute, short-petioled: corolla small, % in. long, bell-form, with lobes 

 spreading or recurving, the tube exceeding the calyx. A very common 

 weed along hedge-rows, in light woodlands and clearings. 



A. cannabinum, Linn. Indian hemp. More erect: leaves oblong or 

 oblong-ovate: flowers erect, with the corolla-lobes scarcely spreading, the 

 tube about the length of the calyx. Banks and shores. 



2. VINCA. Periwinkle. 



Herbs, creeping or erect, and more or less woody: leaves mostly ever- 

 green and opposite: flowers solitary, axillary, 5-parted; style 1; follicles 2, 

 erect, slender. 



V. minor, Linn. Pcriirinkle. Myrtle (improperly). A familiar trailing 

 plant of the garden, lawns and cemeteries, growing in shady places, and 

 spreading by creeping stems: leaves evergreen, oblong-ovate, shiny: flowers 

 solitary in axils, blue (rarely white), the corolla salver-form, about 1 in. 

 across. Spring and early summer. 



V. rosea, Linn. Erect, often 20-30 in. high, rather woody at base: 

 leaves ovate, obtuse, on long petioles: flowers large, on slender axillary 

 pedicels, white, white with rose eye, or plain rose-color; blooming all season 

 when grown in the house or conservatory, or all summer in the garden. 

 Tropics. 



3. NfiRIUM. Oleander. 



Shrubs from warm climates, much cultivated in windows and green- 

 houses: leaves lanceolate, leathery and stiff: flowers in terminal cymes, 

 white or pink, single or double; corolla large, 1-2 in., salver-form, the 

 throat bearing 5 fringed or toothed scales; ovary of 2 carpels; stamens 5, 

 the anthers tipped with awn-like bristles. 



