Erect herb, sometimes more than 1 m tall; stems +/- glabrous below, pubescent above; sap milky. Leaves opposite or ternate; petioles 1-2 cm long; blades mostly lanceolate, gradually tapered to both ends, 5-18 cm long, 1-3.2 (4) cm wide, glabrous or weakly pubescent. Umbels several, terminal; pedicels crisp-pubescent, l-2 cm long; calyx green, hidden by reflexed petals, 5-lobed, 2-3 mm long; corolla usually orange-red, 6-8 mm long; corona segments (hoods) bright yellow, broadly ovate, 4-5 mm long, shorter than narrow inner horns of corona; nectar accumulating at base of corona or filling corona almost to brim. Follicles held erect, fusiform, 8-10 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, glabrous; seeds brown, ovate, flat, 5-6 mm long, topped by comose tuft ca 2.5 cm long. Croat 6374. Occasional, in clearings. Flowers and fruits throughout the year. Individual plants flower more than once a year. Plants contain the toxic glucoside asclepidadin (Blohm, 1962). Flowers are probably self-compatible (D. Spellman, pers. comm.).