MILKWEED FAMILY.
ASCLEPIADACEÆ.
Four-leaved Milkweed. | Asclepias quadrifolia. |
Found during June and July, in shady places, on dry uplands.
The stalk is leafy and slender, round, and tough fibred, and 1 or 2 feet high; it is downy with soft hairs; in color light green, with an indication of pink at the joints.
The oval leaf has a broad base and a sharp-tapering point; the margin is entire or slightly scalloped and wavy or ruffled, the ribs are prominent and hairy underneath, the texture is thin, and the surface is downy above; light green, with a whitey bloom,—pale underneath. The leaves, on slender short stems, are arranged in pairs, or in whorls of 4 of which 2 are smaller than the others; they occur at a considerable distance apart.
The flower is small and delicate in form and texture; its crown, of 5 tubes and 5 little horns, is tinted pale lilac, the 5 lobes are small, down-bent, and creamy pink; the calyx is light green; the foot-stem is long, and pale lilac color. The flowers are gathered in small globe-shaped clusters, set upon terminal pink stems.
Only a few flower-clusters occur on the plant, and the 4-leaved whorls are found midway the height of the stalk. The details of the whole plant are delicately perfected, and the quality of its leafage is pleasing.