Periploca
(from peri, around and ploke, a twining; in reference to the intertwining habit of some species0. ORD. Asclepiadeae. A genus comprising twelve species of glabrous shrubs, sometimes twining and leafy, sometimes erect, rigid, and aphyllous, inhabiting Southern Europe, temperate Asia, and tropical and sub-tropical Africa. Flowers often brownish or blackish within, greenish outside, in loose cymes. Leaves opposite, glabrous. The undermentioned species is a very desirable plant for covering an arbour or wall, which it does very rapidly. Any moderately good garden soil suits it. Propagated by layers or cuttings, inserted under a glass, during summer and autumn.
P. graeca (Grecian).* Silk Vine. fl. greenish outside, brownish inside, clothed with copious, short hairs; corymbs disposed on long peduncles. July. l. varying from ovate to lanceolate, 3in. to 4in. long. South-eastern Europe, Orient, 1597. (B. M. 2289; B. R. 803; S. F. G. 249.)