Dear Ganeshji, This is* Asclepias physocarpa* (Meyer) Schltr. in Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 21. Biebl. liv. 8. 1895; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 833(585). 1923. Syn: *Gomphocarpus physocarpus* Meyer. Native of South Africa Notes: Compact subshrub; branchlets downy pubescent; latex milky. Leaves decussate, linear-lanceolate, to 12 x 1.2 cm, tapering at both ends, margins revolute; petiole 1 cm. Cymes umbel-like, solitary at nodes; peduncle to 3 cm; pedicel to 3 cm; bracts linear, 1 cm. Calyx-lobes 5, lanceolate, 7.5 mm. Corolla cream, 1 cm wide; lobes 5, ovate, 9 x 6 mm, reflexed, margin bearded. Corona staminal, in 1 series, of 5 erect, 4 mm segments strongly compressed laterally, attached to staminal column. Stamens 5; connective produced; pollen masses solitary per cell, pendulous. Carpels 2, oblong, echinate. Follicles obliquely ovoid, inflated, to 5.5 x 3.5 cm, covered with long bristles; stalk to 5 cm; seeds comose.
-- *Prabhu Kumar K M* Scientist Plant Systematics & Genetic Resources Division Centre for Medicinal Plants Research (CMPR) & 'CMPR' Herbarium Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal, Malappuram *E-mail: [email protected]* --
