Asclepias ovalifolia
 
Dwarf Milkweed

Gynostegium Side

Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park
22-June-2006

Part of the corona has been removed in this photo.  Five coherent stamens surround the the styles and enlarged stigma head.  The entire structure is known as the gynostegium.

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Ovalifolia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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plants hairy or downy; NOT [plants almost hairless]

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leaves opposite; NOT [leaves in whorls]

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leaves broader; NOT [leaves linear]

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leaves ovate or lanceolate; NOT [leaves oblong or oval]

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leaves tapering to base; NOT [leaves blunt, rounded or almost cordate at the base]

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flowers purplish or greenish; NOT [flowers rose or red]

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corona hoods each WITH an incurved horn within

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pods LACKING tubercles; NOT [pods with soft tubercles]

 

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Asclepiadaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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plants green or with some chlorophyll

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plants WITH milky juice

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flowers not in heads or spikes; NOT [flowers in long or short spikes], NOT [flowers in heads or in form resembling a head]

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corolla regular; NOT [corolla irregular]

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stamens united; NOT [stamens distinct]

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styles distinct; NOT [styles united]

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ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

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pollen grains united into a mass; NOT [pollen grains separate]