38 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
discolor Willd. The leaves vary in size, but are usually 1 to 4 inches 
long and 1 to 2 inches wide with long, tapering tips. They are dark 
green, with fewer hairs on the upper surface than on the lower. The 
small, greenish flowers are surrounded by short structures, called 
sepals, which are densely covered with star-shaped hairs. Both male 
and female flowers are borne on the same flowering stem, which is 
about as long as the leaves. The female flowers are borne on the 
lower portion of the stem. The fruiting capsules, which usually 
contain 3 seeds, are about 14 inch long and are densely covered with 
hairs. This species consists of several races, and there is evidence 
that some hybridization occurs between it and C. discolor Willd. where 
they grow together. The plants are reproduced by seeds. 
DistripuTion AND Haprrar.—This shrub occurs on all of the Virgin 
Islands. It is often found in pure, dense stands as well as in mixed 
stands. It occurs occasionally around watering troughs, along lanes, 
and under shade trees, but is most common in pastures, waste grounds, 
along roadsides and ditches, and around house sites. Maran grows on 
poor, shallow, poorly drained soils in the driest areas but is more 
prevalent where there is more moisture. The plants thrive best in 
full sunlight but are shade tolerant. Thick stands often occur follow- 
ing the plowing of fields that have lain idle for many years. 
Toxiciry AND Symprems.—Results of chick-feeding trials indicate 
that this species of maran has toxic properties similar to those of 
Croton astroites Dryand. (See Croton astroites Dryand.) 
MANAGEMENT AND Controut.—This shrub is perhaps the most wide- 
spread and prevalent species of maran in pastures and cultivated 
fields throughout the Virgin Islands. It constitutes a major pasture 
pest on St. Croix. Its perenniality, competitive ability, and copious 
production of highly viable seeds capable of prolonged dormancy 
make maran very difficult to control. Mechanical control, except 
for cultivation, is ineffective; regrowth from plants that have been 
cut or brush chopped makes chemical control necessary. The plants 
are killed by a single application of an aqueous solution of 2,4—-D and 
2.4,5-T applied as a foliar spray. Treatments must be repeated at 
intervals to insure adequate control because of its copious seed produc- 
tion and continually germinating seeds. Cattle and horses do not 
feed on this maran, but goats and deer browse on the plants. 
Asclepiadaceae, or Milkweed, Family 
Cryptostegia grandifiora R. Br. (fig. 20) 
Purple Allamanda 
DescripTion.—This perennial ornamental is a stout woody vine or 
semi-erect shrub. Its opposite leaves are dark green and shiny above, 
showing conspicuous white leaf veins. The oblong leaves are borne 
on short stems and are 1 to 2 inches wide and about 3 inches long. The 
leaf blades are thick and brittle; their margins are smooth. The tu- 
bular, purple flowers, borne in clusters at the ends of the branches, are 
twisted in the bud. The mature flowers are about 2 inches long and 
114 inches across at the top. The boat-shaped fruits are usually borne 
in pairs; they are smooth and green when young, become rough and 
grayish at maturity, and attain 5 inches in length. The plants blossom 
most profusely during the wet season; however, blossoms may be 
found occasionally throughout the year. In the climate of the Virgin 
