MILKWEED FAMILY. 



ASCLEPIADACE^. 

 Four-leaved Milkweed. Asclepias quad/r-ifoUa. 



Found during June and July, in shady places, on dry uplands. 



The stalk is leafy and slender, round, and tough flbred, and 1 or 2 

 feet high ; it is downy with soft hairs ; in color light green, with an 

 indication of pink at the joints. 



The oval leaf has a broad base and a sharp-tapei'ing point ; the 

 margin is entire or slightly scalloped and wavy or ruffled, the ribs are 

 prominent and hairy underneath, the texture is thin, and the surface is 

 downy above ; light green, with a whitey bloom, — pale underneath. 

 The leaves, on slender short stems, are aiTanged in pairs, or in whorls 

 of 4 of which 2 are smaller than the others ; they occur at a considerable 

 distance apart. 



The flower is small and delicate in form and texture ; its crown, of 

 5 tubes and 5 little horns, is tinted pale lilac, the 5 lobes are small, 

 down-bent, and creamy pink ; the calyx is light green ; the foot-stem 

 is long, and pale lilac color. The flowers are gathered in small globe- 

 shaped clusters, set upon terminal pink stems. 



Only a few flower-clusters occur on the plant, and the 4-leaved 

 whorls are found midway the height of the stalk. The details of the 

 whole plant are delicately perfected, and the quality of its leafage is 

 pleasing. 



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