196 



SILK GRASS. 



FIG. LIII. Ascl^pias Conmti : 1, a flower natural size ; 2, a flower enlarged ; 3, 

 the ovaries (advanced) and compound anther exposing the pollinia ; 4, a pair of pol- 

 linia attached to the gland ; 5, one of the hoods with its horn ; 6, vertical section of 

 anther and ovaries of A. phytolaccoides, with 2 pollinia in place ; 7, a hood of the 

 same ; 8, a follicle ; 9, a follicle open, showing the fledged seeds imbricated on the 

 large placenta. 



Analysis. The Inflorescence is a simple umbel with 

 pedicels (or rays) all of equal length and diverging in every 

 direction. The 5 lanceolate petals, slightly gamopetalous at 

 the base, are valvate in bud, and after opening, sharply re- 

 flexed, concealing the 5 sepals, and exposing the corona 



