ASCLEPIADAGK-E. '- • I 



deeply 5-parted, tbc divisions lanceolate reflexed, deciduous. 

 Crown of 5 liooded lobes (nectaries) seated on the tube of 

 qs, each containing a horn-like incurved process. Sta- 

 mens 5, inserted on the base of the orolh: filaments 

 united into a tub 3 which incloses the pistil; anthers ad- 

 it to the stigmi, with 2 vortical cells opening length- 

 iippel with a ra-ensl ' ige, each cell coii- 



tiining a flittenel waxy pollon-nrass. Stigma depressed, 

 :!c 1. covering 2' ovaries. Follicles 2, one of thent 

 often abortive, inflated, smooth or murieate. Seeds fuwiiel 

 with a long tuft of silky hairs at the hilum. — Perennial vp- 

 rig/tt herbs, with {hick and deep roots, usually tran tined 



and terminal or mostly lateral peduncles between the petioles 

 be tring simple many flowered umbels. 

 * Le nves opposite* 



1. A. Corxuti, Decaisne. Common Millicccdor SiUaictu. 



' tout; leaves ovate-cllipti light point, 



spreading, potiolat2, minutely velvety-downy h; ufnbel nodding; divi- 



sions of the corolla ovate; hoods of the crown ovate, obtuse, with a lobe or loeth 

 en each side of the claw-liks horn; ftMides murieate. 



Rich soil, fi A coars*, very milky plant, 3 



to 1 feat high. Leaves i to 8 inches long. 2 to 3 inches wide. tap.« ring at both 



acb of 20 or more sweet-scented £< 

 ■, about % as long as the pedicel?, reftexed, leaving the i 

 quita c.n.-picuous. 



2. A. PUYTOLACCorDES, Ph. Polh-leavcd Sttkwcsd. 



i simple, greet, smooth; leaves broadly orat:> ; or the upper oval-lanceolate 

 pointed at both ends, shortrpetloled, smooth or slightly downy underneath:; 

 looas and nod ling, numerous, elongate.!, slender; divisions of the corolla ovate 

 oblong, heads of th3 crowa truncate, the margins 2 -toothed at the summit, the 

 horn wiih a long projecting point; fullicl s minutely downy. 



Eo'.v shady grounds, rather common. .Tune. Stem 8 to : above 



marked with 2 opposite tines of minul •. Lava 5 to 8 inches loi \ 



marly J^ as top, on lateral peduncles 4 to 6 inches long, 



-with 10 .o 23 large flower - ; on pedicels - inches long, 1 . CVi wn Le*ii- 



:ed. 



3. A. purpurascens, L. Purple Milkweed. 



I simple, erect, with 2 pubescent lines; leaves elliptical or ovate-oblong, tho 

 lower mucronate, the upper acuminate, minutely velvety downy underneath, 

 Bmooth above, contracted at base into a short petiole.; pedicels shorter than the 

 mostly terminal peduncle; divisions of the corolla l-ruce-ovale; hoods of tie 

 crown oblong; the horn broadly falcate, with a narrow and broadly intlexed hori 

 zontal point: folUcles smooth. 



Border cf woods and thickets, not common. July. Stem 2 to 5 feet high, rather 

 slender. Leaves pale and downy beneath, the midrein purple. Flowers in termi- 

 nal, erect umbels, with a small green calyx, and dark purple coroUa withrt-Htxed 

 segments. 



4. A. variegata, L. Variegated MilJcweed,. 



Kearly smooth; stem simple, erect; haves ovate, oval or. obovate, somewhat 



