Apocynum. 



APOCYNACEiE. 



117 



Stem 2-3 feet high, smooth, with numerous spreading branches. Leaves 2-3 inches 

 long, acute, mucronate, smooth above, more or less pubescent (sometimes white and almost 

 velvety) underneath : petiole one-fourth of an inch long. Flowers in rather loose paniculate 

 cymes, which are terminal, and axillary in the upper part of the stem : pedicels 2-3 lines 

 long, with subulate bracts at the base. Calyx smooth. Corolla (as in the rest of the genus, 

 with a twisted aestivation to the left) white or pale rose -color, with reddish stripes ; the 

 nectariferous scales at the base free only at the tip : limb somewhat spreading ; the lobes 

 ovate, obtuse. Follicles about four inches long, terete, tapering to a point. Seeds crowned 

 with a silky pappus. 



Borders of woods and along fences ; common. June - July. This and the following 

 species are emetic, cathartic or diaphoretic, according to the dose (See Wood <§• Bache's U. 

 S. Dispens. p. 98). They are extensively used by the Thomsonian doctors as a mild emetic, 

 under the names of American Ipecac, Bitter-root, and Wandering Milkweed (Dr. Knieskern). 



2. Apocynum cannabinum, Linn. Indian Hemp. 



Leaves varying from oblong to lanceolate, mostly acute at each end ; lobes of the calyx 

 lanceolate, nearly as long as the tube of the corolla ; limb of the corolla erect. — Linn. sp. 1. 

 p. 213 ; R. Br. I. c. p. 68 ; Michx. fl. 1. p. 122 ; Pursh, fl. 1. p. 179 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 179; 

 Torr. fl. 1. p. 276 ; Bigel. fl. Bost. p. 100 ; Beck, hot. p. 234 ; Darlingt.fl. Cest. p. 168; 

 Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 2. p. 51. t. 139. A. pubescens, R. Br. I. c.l ; Ell. I. c. ; Torr. I. c. ; 

 Beck, I. c. 



Stem 2-3 feet high, sometimes oblique or even decumbent, but usually erect. Leaves 

 2-4 inches long and varying from two inches to less than half an inch wide, usually smoothish 

 underneath, but often more or less pubescent, never hoary, mucronate ; the lowest ones often 

 somewhat cordate at the base : petiole 2-3 lines long. Cymes mostly terminal, rather 

 crowded, either shorter or longer than the leaves. Flowers only about half as large as in the 

 preceding species, but very similar in their structure. Corolla greenish white. Follicles 

 about four inches long, very slender. 



Borders of fields and woods, and on the banks of rivers ; not so common as A. androscemi- 

 folium. Fl. July - August. I suspect that A. hypericifolium of Aiton is nothing more than 

 a variety of this species, but I have never seen the leaves so nearly sessile as they are 

 represented by Hooker in fl. Bor.-Am. t. 140. 



