OKDKK LXXIX. ASCLKPIAJJACK.l^. 431 



1. P. PUBEs'cENS, (Ell.) Stem erect, terete, pubescent. Leaves op- 

 posite, ovate or linear-oblong; umbels on sliort peduncles, few-fli.wer- 

 ed ; flowers rather large. — Yellowish-green. Dry pine-barrens. 12 — 

 18 inches. 



Genus III.— ACER' ATES. Ell. 

 (From a, priv., and keras, a horn, tho hoods of the crown being destitute of a horn.) 



Calyx 5-parted. Corolla deeply 5-parted ; limb spreading 

 or reflexed. Stamineal crown destitute of horns. 



1. A. vikidiflo'ra, (Ell.) Steyn erect or ascending, hairy. Leaves 

 oval, ovate or obovate, or lanceolate and nearly linear, thick, on short 

 petioles, tomentose, pubescent. Flowers in sub-globose umbels, nearly 

 sessile. Follicles ?,mooi\x. — Green. If. July. Sandy fields. 1 — 2 ft. 



Genus IV.— ASCLETIAS. L. 18—5. 

 (The Greek name of .(Esculapius.) 



Calyx small, o-parted. Corolla reflexed, 5-parted. Stami- 

 neal crown 5-leaved ; leaflets opposite the anthers, each pro- 

 ducing from its base a subulate averted process. Stlr/ma with 

 5 angles. Pollen in 10 masses, arranged in pairs. Follicles 2. 

 Seeds comose. 



1. A. PURPURAs'cENS, (L.) Stem erect, simple. Leaves ovate, near- 

 ly sessile, nearly glabrous above, downy beneath, purple midrib. 

 Floicers in erect, terminal umbels. Horns of the nectary resupinate. — 

 Purple. If. June — July. In swamps. 3 — 4 feet. 



2. A. rHYTOLACCOi'DEs, (Pursh.) Stem erect, simple. Leaves oppo- 

 site, broad-lanceolate, large, acuminate, smooth, pale beneath. Fiowers 

 in lateral and terminal umbels, nodding. — Greenish-purple. If. Juno 

 — July. Mountains. 2 — i feet. 



3. A. amplexicau'lis, (Mich.) Stem decumbent, terete. Leaves large, 

 succulent, sessile, opposite, cordate, strongly veined. Flowers in a.xilla- 

 ry and terminal umbels. Horns of the nectary exserted. — Dull wliiti'. 

 If. April — May. Dry sandy soils. 1 — 2 feet. 



4. A. obtusifo'lia, (Mich.) Stem simple, erect, purjile. Leaves ses- 

 sile, opposite, cordate, ovate, undulate, glabrou.s glaucous beneath. 

 Fioicers in terminal umbels, usually solitary, on long peduncles. Co- 

 rolla large, tinged with purple and green. Hoi-ns of the nectary e.\- 

 serted. — Purple and white. 2f . June — July. Sandy soils. 2 — 3 ft. 



5. A. vauiega'ta, (L.) Stem erect, simple, terete, with 2 pubescent 

 lines. Leaves opposite, oval-lanceolate, undulate, glabrous beneath, 

 veins and margins pubescent. Floieers in terminal umbels, with tlie 

 peduncles and })edieels pubescent, with a caducous bract at tlie base of 

 each pedicel. Cali/x hairy, reflexed, with subulate segments. Corolla 

 glabrous, green on the outer surface ; follicle lanceolate, smooth.— 

 White. If. April — June. In rich soils. Common. 2 — 3 feet. 



6. A. quadrifo'lia, (Muhl.) Stem erect, simple, smooth. Leaves ver- 

 tic'llate by fours, ovate-lanc<'olate. glabrous, acuminate on short p(?tioIes. 

 Floicers in terminal and axilhuy umbels; pedicels capillary ; nectaries 

 with horn.s, 2-toothcd. — White. 2f. June— July. Dry woods. 2— 3 ft. 



