Bot. [mod.L., a. Gr. ἀσκληπιάς, f. Ἀσκληπιός Æsculapius.] A genus of plants, giving its name to a N.O., including the Milkweed, Swallow-wort, and some others, chiefly natives of the east coast of North America.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 317. We may call it in English Asclepias, Vincetoxicum, and Swallowurt.
1706. Phillips, Asclepias … Swallow-wort or Silken Cicely.
1872. Oliver, Elem. Bot., II. 208. The exotic Asclepias Family, including the beautiful Hoyas and Stephanotis of our stoves.
1872. Baker, Nile Tribut., ii. 22. Cutting firewood from the asclepias.
