HDilF^voeeb Jfamilv. 



Sand Milkweed. Asclepiaa ohtusifolia. 



Found on sandy barrens and fields in July. 



The stalk, which grows from 2 to 3 feet in height, is very leafy in 

 its middle part, and is round, or sometimes a little flattened beneath the 

 leaves ; its fibre is strong, and surface smooth. Color, pale green, fre- 

 quently toned with bronze, or brown. 



The leaf is long, square-pointed with a sharp little tip, and heai't- 

 shaped at its partly clasping base ; its margin is entire, the blade being 

 much I'uffled by the tautness of the strong midrib, and its edge is slightly 

 thickened ; the texture is thick and tough, and the surface is smooth 

 and soft to the touch ; the color is a strong full green, showing pur- 

 plish at the edge and ribs, and pale silvery underneath where the mid- 

 rib is white. The leaves occur in pairs which grow at right angles to 

 each other. 



The crown tubes are short, broad, and slightly toothed, with notice- 

 able sharp little horns ; the lobes are long, pointed, and curving. All 

 these parts are pale greenish-purple, while the small calyx is green. 

 The foot-stems are rather long and slender, ami the flower-cluster is 

 large, loose, and terminal. 



At about a third of the height of the stalk the leaves begin to 

 crowd together, — sometimes as many as five or six pairs will occur with 

 bai'ely an inch of space between them ; they overlap their bases about 

 the stalk, and describe fine curves with their wavy blades. Occasionally 

 a second cluster of flowers is borne at the base of the stem which sup- 

 ports the usual cluster. The juice is very little milky. 



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