ASCLEPIADACE&. 



259 



2. Vinca. Corolla salver-form, contorted ; limb 5-cleft ; lobes 

 oblique ; throat 5-angled. Ovary with 2 glands at base. Capsule fol- 

 licular, erect. 



V. MINOR (Small Periwinkle). Evergreen ; stems procumbent, shrubby, 

 terete, smooth, leafy ; leaves smooth and shining, elliptic-lanceolate ; flow- 

 ers solitary, alternate, pedunculate, violet ; sepals lanceolate. In cultivation. 

 May. 



3. Nerium. Calyx with 5 teeth at base. Corolla salver-form. 

 Filaments inserted into the middle of the corolla-tube. Anthers sagit- 

 tate, adhering to the stigma by the middle, y. 



N. OLEANDER (Oleander}. Evergreen, shrubby, leaves linear-lanceo- 

 late, smooth, entire, 3 together, prominently veined beneath ; flowers large, 

 in terminal clusters, rose-colored. In house cultivation, 4-6 feet high. 



Order LII. ASCLEPIADACE.E, 



Herbs, or shrubs, usually with a milky juice. Leaves usually 

 opposite, sometimes alternate or verticillate. Flowers generally 

 in umbels, sometimes in racemes or corymbs. Sepals 5, slightly 

 united at base. Corolla regular, consisting of 5 petals. Stamens 

 5, inserted at the base of the corolla, alternate with its segments 

 united into a tube. Anthers 2-celled. Pollen cohering in masses. 

 Ovaries 2. Styles 2, often very short. Stigmas united into i 

 column for both ovaries. Fruit consisting of 2 follicles, I some- 

 times abortive. Seeds usually with a coma. 



Asclepias. Calyx 5-parted ; lobes small, spreading. Corolla 

 deeply 5-cleft ; segments valvate in prefloration, reflexed when open, 

 deciduous. Crown consisting of 5 hooded lobes, resting on the united 

 mass of the stamens, and furnished with an incurved, horn-like process. 

 Filaments united into a tube, inclosing the style. Anthers adhering to 

 the stigma, with 2 cells opening longitudinally, each containing pollen- 

 masses. Seeds flat, furnished with a long tuft of silky hairs. if 



1. A. CORNUTI (Common Milkweed). Stem erect, simple, rarely branch- 

 ing ; leaves nearly oval, tapering at both extremities, petiolate ; flowers in 

 large, dense, simple, globose umbels, odorous ; calyx-segments lanceolate ; 

 petals reflexed, dull purple ; horn short and stout. In rich soils, 3-5 feet 

 high. July. 



2. A. INCARNATA (Swamp Milkweed). Nearly smooth ; stem erect, 

 branching above, marked with 2 pubescent lines ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, 

 obtuse at base, with distinct petioles ; umbels numerous, many-flowered, 

 erect, often opposite ; peduncles half as long as the leaves ; segments of the 

 corolla reddish-purple ; hoods of the crown flesh-colored, entire. In wet 

 grounds, 2-3 feet high. July-August. 



