Art. VII. Description of a new species of Asclepias.
Art. VII. Description of a new species of Asclepias. By Dr. Eli Ives, Professor, &c. in the Medical Institution of Yale College. (With a Plate.)
The plant, which is the subject of the following observations, is found growing abundantly on the sandy plains east of Cedar Hill, in New-Haven. It is locally associated with the asclepias viridiflora and verticillata. When this species of asclepias was first noticed by me, it was supposed to be a variety of viridiflora of Rafinesque and Pursh; but after examining a great number of specimens, it was found that the varieties did not blend themselves. The leaves of the viridiflora being uniformly oblong and obtuse, the leaves of the other uniformly lanceolate and acute. To this new species I purpose to give the name Lanceolata.
Specific character of the asclepias lanceolata:—Stem decumbent, hirsute; leaves opposite, lanceolate, acute, sub sessile, hirsuit umbels lateral, solitary, sessile, nodding, subglobose, dense-flowered; appendage none. See the plate.
The asclepias lanceolata is allied to the asclepias longifolia and viridiflora by the absence of appendage or horn of the nectary. It is distinguished from the longifolia, which is characterized by alternate linear leaves, and umbels erect.
Asclepias lanceolata.
The asclepias lanceolata and asclepias viridiflora belong to Mr. Elliott's genus acerates. In both, the nectary or stamineous crown is short concave, and oppressed to the angles of the filaments.