From the fact that Indians used to substitute this very common
slant’s tough fibre for hemp in making their fishnets, mats, baskets,
and clothing, came its popular name ; and from their use of the
juices to poison mangy old dogs about their camps, its scientific
one,


243


White and Greenish ~


Whorled or Green-flowered Milkweed
(Asclepias verticillata) Milkweed family


Flowers—White or greenish, on short pedicels, in several small ter-
minal clusters. Calyx inferior ; corolla deeply 5-parted, the
oblong segments turned back; a 5-parted, erect crown of
hooded nectaries between them and the stamens, each shorter
than the incurved horn within. Stem: 1 to2% ft. tall, simple
or sparingly branched, hairy, leafy tosummit, containing mi A
juice. Leaves: In upright groups, very narrow, almost thread-

ike, from 3 to 7 in each whorl. Fruit: 2 smooth, narrow,
spindle-shaped, upright pods, the seeds attached to silky
uff ; 1 pod usually abortive.
Preferred Habitat—Dry fields, hills, uplands.
Flowering Season—July—September.
Disiribution—Maine and far westward, south to Florida and Mexico.
