riDilkweeb ifamil?. 



Swamp Milkweed. Asdepias incarnata 



var. pulchra. 



Found in damp hollows and swamps, in July. 



The leafy stalk is commonly 2 or 3 feet high, woody-fibred and hol- 

 low, with slight ridges on its surface, and downy to the touch. Grreen 

 in color, modified by pale crimson. 



The large leaf (7 inches long sometimes) is sharp-pointed at the tip 

 and slightly heart-shaped at the base ; the ribs are prominent under- 

 neath, and the margin is entire, the edge being thickened ; the texture 

 is thick, the surface downy and hairy underneath ; in color a strong yel- 

 low-green. The leaves are set on short, stout stems, which partly clasp 

 the stalk, and grow in pairs, that occur at right angles to each other. 



The flower is small ; the crown is reared high upon its little neck, 

 the horns very slender and pointed, the lobes narrow and curving ; the 

 texture of the corolla is fine, and its color is a rich crimson, toned to vio- 

 let, the calyx parts are half as long as the lobes, and are pale green 

 with a crimson tint. The flowers are set on short, small foot-stems, 

 which are downy, and crimson toned ; they form rather large loose 

 clusters, on stout green stems, and grow in a terminal group, or singly 

 from the angles of the upper leaves. 



The buds are oval in shape, and of a noticeably richer hue than 

 belongs to the opened flower ; they form flat-topped clusters before they 

 reach maturity. 



This variety varies from the typical incarnata chiefly in being 

 more downy, and shorter of leaf-stem. 



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