ORDER LXXIX. ASCLEPIADACE.E. 433 



1. S. mariti'ma, (D. C.) Stem glabrous, climbing. Leaves opposite, 

 sessile, linear, channeled; succulent. Umbels 9 — 10 -flowered, solitary, 

 axillary ; calyx small ; sepals erect, acute ; leaves of the stamineai 

 crown oval, obtuse, white. — Greenish. June — Oct. On lands over- 

 flowed by salt water. Lyoni maritima, Ell. 



Genus VI— GONOLO'BUS. L. 18—5. 

 (From the Greek gonia, an angle, and lobos, a pod.) 



Calyx small. Corolla rotate, 5-parted. Stamineai crown 

 sbield-form, lobed. Stamens 5. A nthers opening transversely. 

 Pollen masses 10, in 5 pairs. Stigma flattened. Follicles 2, 

 ventricose. Seed comose. 



1. G. Carolinen'sis, (Mich.) Stem climbing, pubescent. Leaves ob- 

 long, cordate, acuminate, slightly auriculate, pubescent. Flowers in ax- 

 illary umbels ; segments of the corolla long, obtuse ; follicles ribbed, 

 aDgular. — Purple. U- May — Aug. Clay soils. G. ftirsutas, Mich. 



2. G. macrophyl'lus, (Mich.) Stem climbing over small shrubs, pu- 

 bescent. Leaves opposite, broad-cordate, acuminate, pubescent. Flow- 

 ers in axillary umbels ; segments of the corolla obtuse ; follicles muricate 

 — Obscure yellow. If. June- — Aug. Light soils. 



Genus VII.— METASTEL'MA. Br 



(From meta, behind, and stelma, a girdle.) 



Calyx small, 5-leaved. Corolla sub-campanulate ; lobes 

 with white hairs within. Stamineai crown 5-leaved ; leaves sim- 

 ple ; anthers terminated by a membrane ; pollen masses ovoid, 

 compressed, attached by the apex. Follicles smooth, slender. 

 Seeds comose. 



1. M. Fra'seri, (Decai.) Herbaceous plant, erect, smooth. Leaves 

 oval or ovate, mucronate, or acuminate smooth. Lobes of the corolla 

 ovate, acute. — Greenish. Carolina. 



Genus VIII— CHTHAMA'LIA. Decai. 

 (From chthamalos, on the ground.) 



Calyx 5-parted, lobes ovate-pubescent. Corolla campanulate, 

 with a short tube; limb 5-parted, lobes erect, ovate-oblong. 

 Stamineai crown campanulate. Follicles ovoid, fleshy. Seeds 

 hairy. 



1. C. pubiflo'ra, (Decai.) Decumbent, puberulent ; branches terete, 

 slender. Lower leaves sub-reniform ; upper ones ovate-cordate, acute, 

 puberulent. Flowers 3—4 ; lobes of the corolla villous within. — Car. 



There are many interesting exotics belonging to this order. The Eor/a carnosa, 

 the Wax Plant, is a plant from the East Indies, and receives its common name from 

 Its wax-like flowers. The Stapelias, from the Cape of Good Hope, are singular 

 plants, and readily distinguished by their disgusting odor; hence called carrion 

 flowers. 



19 



