ASCLEPIADACEiE. 



195 



campanulate, rotate; stamens approaching each other; berry 

 within the inflated calyx, two-celled. 



Named from the Greek for bladder, from the inflated 

 form of the calyx. The " Winter Cherry" of the garden, 

 which is so great an ornament in the dull season, from the 

 beauty of the lace-like calyx enclosing the golden fruit, 

 is the P. AlheTcengiy a native of Europe ; another species, 

 P. somnifera, from the East Indies, is introduced into the 

 greenhouse, having clustered straw-coloured flowers, and 

 ornamental fruit produced late in the year. 



ASCLEPIADA CJEJE. 



Exogens, with flowers having the calyx five-parted, and not 

 falling off. Corolla monopetalous, five-lobed, regular, generally 

 imbricated in the bud, falling off. Stamens five, inserted into 

 the base of the corolla, alternate with the segments of the limb. 

 Anthers and stigma consolidated into a column. Leaves en- 

 tire, opposite, sometimes alternate or whorled.- — Shrubs, or occa- 

 sionally herbaceous plants, often twining ; natives principally of 

 Africa, but extending to America, India, etc. ; the properties of 

 the juice are acrid and bitter. 



HOYA. 



Gen. Char. (Pentandria Digynia.) Corolla five-cleft; pollen- 



