3-8 Asclepiadaceae, milkweed family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicot, milkweed, Asclepias

Abstract

Milkweeds are a large family of 2000 or more herbs, shrubs or vines, mostly from warm climates. Bearing simple leaves, plants may have alternate, opposite or whorled leaf arrangements. Flowers are five-merous, perfect and nearly regular. Corolla extends to a tube, its lobes inrolled. Fruits are follicles, round or linear, producing many seeds, armed with copious comas of long silky hairs. Nova Scotia has only two species of herbs. Photographs provided by Sean Blaney, Martin Thomas and Andy Dean.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor