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.

Ovalifolia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 

plants hairy or downy; NOT [plants almost hairless]

leaves opposite; NOT [leaves in whorls]

leaves broader; NOT [leaves linear]

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

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

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

corona hoods each WITH an incurved horn within

pods LACKING tubercles; NOT [pods with soft tubercles]

 

Asclepiadaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 

herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

plants green or with some chlorophyll

plants WITH milky juice

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

corolla regular; NOT [corolla irregular]

stamens united; NOT [stamens distinct]

styles distinct; NOT [styles united]

ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]

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