Apocynaceae (from '' Apocynum'', Greek for "dog-away") is a family of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...

s that includes

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

s, shrubs,

herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicina ...

s, stem succulents, and

vine A vine ( Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners thems ...

s, commonly known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison Members of the family are native to the

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...

an,

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an ...

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

n, Australian, and American

tropics The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred ...

or subtropics, with some temperate members. The former family Asclepiadaceae (now known as Asclepiadoideae) is considered a subfamily of Apocynaceae and contains 348 genera. A list of Apocynaceae genera may be found here. Many species are tall trees found in

tropical forest Tropical forests (a.k.a. jungle) are forested landscapes in tropical regions: ''i.e.'' land areas approximately bounded by the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, but possibly affected by other factors such as prevailing winds. Some tropical fo ...

s, but some grow in tropical dry ( xeric) environments. Also

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

herbs from temperate zones occur. Many of these plants have milky

latex Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosper ...

, and many species are

poison Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...

ous if ingested, the family being rich in genera containing alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, those containing the latter often finding use as arrow poisons. Some genera of Apocynaceae, such as '' Adenium'', bleed clear sap without latex when damaged, and others, such as '' Pachypodium'', have milky latex apart from their sap.

Taxonomy

As of 2012, the family was described as comprising some 5,100 species, in five subfamilies:Nazia Nazar, David J. Goyder, James J. Clarkson, Tariq Mahmood and Mark W. Chase, 2013, "The taxonomy and systematics of ''Apocynaceae'': Where we stand in 2012," ''

Bot. J. Linn. Soc. The ''Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society'' is a scientific journal publishing original papers relating to the taxonomy of all plant groups and fungi, including anatomy, biosystematics, cytology, ecology, ethnobotany, electron microsco ...

,'' 171(3, March), pp. 482–490, se

accessed 22 June 2015. *

Apocynoideae Apocynoideae is a subfamily of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae (order Gentianales). It contains about 78 genera with roughly 860 species. Several genera are of pharmacological interest - notably those - such as Strophanthus - which have ...

Burnett, 1835 * Asclepiadoideae Burnett, 1835 (incorporating the

Asclepiadaceae The Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, they were treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family. They form a group of perennial herbs, tw ...

) * Periplocoideae Endl., 1838 *

Rauvolfioideae Rauvolfioideae is a subfamily of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae (order Gentianales). Many species are woody lianas, others are shrubs or perennial herbs. Tribes and genera *Tribe Aspidospermateae Miers, 1878 **''Aspidosperma'' Mart. ...

Kostel., 1834 *

Secamonoideae Secamonoideae is a subfamily of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Genera *''Calyptranthera'' Klack., 1996 *''Genianthus'' Hook. f., 1883 *''Goniostemma'' Wight, 1834 *''Pervillaea'' Decne., 1844 *''Secamone'' R. Br., 1810 *''Secamonopsis'' Jum., ...

Endl., 1838 The former family Asclepiadaceae is included in Apocynaceae according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III ( APG III) modern, largely molecular-based system of flowering plant taxonomy. An updated classification, including 366 genera, 25 tribes and 49 subtribes, was published in 2014.

Distribution and habitat

Species in this family are distributed mainly in tropical regions: *In the

s and swamps of Indomalaya: small to very tall

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...

s up to tall, often with buttress roots, such as '' Alstonia'' and '' Dyera'' *In northern Australia: small evergreen trees such as '' Alstonia'', '' Alyxia'', '' Cerbera'' and '' Ochrosia'' *In deciduous forests of Africa, India and

Indo-China Mainland Southeast Asia, also known as the Indochinese Peninsula or Indochina, is the continental portion of Southeast Asia. It lies east of the Indian subcontinent and south of Mainland China and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west an ...

: smaller trees such as '' Carissa'', '' Wrightia'' and '' Holarrhena'' *In tropical America, India, Myanmar and Malaya: evergreen trees and shrubs, such as ''

Rauvolfia ''Rauvolfia'' (sometimes spelled ''Rauwolfia'') is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as devil peppers, in the family Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. The genus can mainly be found in tropical regi ...

'', '' Tabernaemontana'' and ''

Acokanthera ''Acokanthera'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It comprises 5 species and is generally restricted to Africa, although '' Acokanthera schimperi'' also occurs in Yemen. Its sap contains the deadly cardiotoxic glycoside '' ...

'' *In Central America: '' Plumeria'', or the frangipani, with its waxy white or pink flowers and a sweet scent *In South America, Africa and Madagascar: many

liana A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ...

s, such as ''

Landolphia ''Landolphia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1806. They take the form of vines that scramble over host trees. ''Landolphia'' is native to tropical Africa Africa is the world's sec ...

'' *In the Mediterranean region: '' Nerium'', with the well-known oleander or be-still tree ('' Nerium oleander'') *The only genera found in temperate

away from the Mediterranean are '' Vinca'' (Apocynoideae) and '' Vincetoxicum'' (Asclepiadoideae). Also '' Asclepias syriaca'' is an invasive weed (e. g., in many areas of

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian invas ...

). *In North America: '' Apocynum'', dogbane or Indian hemp, including '' Apocynum cannabinum'', a traditional source of fiber. Also the bluestars, '' Amsonia'', herbaceous perennials of upright habit, grown as ornamental plants for their attractive flowers. *In continental southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) and Madagascar, except for the humid evergreen forest of the eastern side of Madagascar, and never above for the entire island: '' Pachypodium'' and ''

Fockea ''Fockea'' is a genus of succulent scrubs native to southern Africa. known collectively as water roots, a reference to their characteristic bulbous caudex A caudex (plural: caudices) of a plant is a stem, but the term is also used to mean a r ...

Description

Growth pattern

The dogbane/milkweed family includes annual plants,

perennial herbs A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also widel ...

, stem succulents, woody shrubs,

s, or

s. Most exude a milky latex when cut.

Leaves and stems

Leaves are simple. They may appear one at a time (singly) with each occurrence on alternating sides of the stem ( alternate),Apocynaceae, Thomas Rosatti, Jepson Herbarium
/ref> but usually occur in pairs (and rarely in

whorl A whorl ( or ) is an individual circle, oval, volution or equivalent in a whorled pattern, which consists of a spiral or multiple concentric objects (including circles, ovals and arcs). Whorls in nature File:Photograph and axial plane flo ...

s). When paired, they occur on opposite sides of the stem (opposite), with each pair occurring at an angle rotated 90° to the pair below it ( decussate). There is no

stipule In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole). Stipules are considered part of the anatomy of the leaf of a typical flowering plant, although in many speci ...

(a small leaf-like structure at the base of the leaf stem), or stipules are small and sometimes fingerlike.

Inflorescence and fruit

Flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...

s have radial symmetry ( actinomorphic), and are borne in heads that are cymes or

raceme A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the sh ...

s, or are solitary in axils. They are

perfect Perfect commonly refers to: * Perfection, completeness, excellence * Perfect (grammar), a grammatical category in some languages Perfect may also refer to: Film * Perfect (1985 film), ''Perfect'' (1985 film), a romantic drama * Perfect (2018 f ...

(bisexual), with a

synsepal A synsepal is a floral structure formed by the partial or complete fusion of two or more sepals. Such sepals are said to be gamosepalous. It is common among Lady's Slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae Cypripedioideae is a subfamily of orchids comm ...

ous, five-lobed

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

united into a tube at the base. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary. Five

petal Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corolla''. Petals are usuall ...

s are united into a tube with four or five epipetalous stamens. The style head is swollen. The pollen is transported in foam. The

ovary The ovary is an organ in the female reproductive system that produces an ovum. When released, this travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it may become fertilized by a sperm. There is an ovary () found on each side of the bod ...

is usually

superior Superior may refer to: *Superior (hierarchy), something which is higher in a hierarchical structure of any kind Places *Superior (proposed U.S. state), an unsuccessful proposal for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to form a separate state *Lake ...

, ''bicarpellary,'' and ''apocarpous,'' with a common fused style and stigma. (Fig. 5. and Fig.6. in the illustration of ''

Rhigospira quadrangularis ''Rhigospira'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1878 by John Miers. The species, ''Rhigospira quadrangularis'' was first described as ''Ambelania quadrangularis'' by Johannes Müller Arg ...

'' show a typical tripartite style which divides into three zones (specialised for pollen deposition, viscin secretion, and the reception of pollen) The fruit is a

drupe In botany, a drupe (or stone fruit) is an indehiscent fruit in which an outer fleshy part ( exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh) surrounds a single shell (the ''pit'', ''stone'', or '' pyrena'') of hardened endocarp with a seed (''kerne ...

, a

berry A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, rasp ...

, a capsule, or a (frequently paired) follicle. The seeds are often winged or have appendages of long silky hairs.

Ecology

Several genera are preferred larval host plants for the

Queen Butterfly The queen butterfly (''Danaus gilippus'') is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae with a wingspan of . It is orange or brown with black wing borders and small white forewing spots on its dorsal wing surface, and redd ...

(''Danaus gilippus'').

Toxicity

Many species of plants from the family Apocynaceae have some toxicity, with some being extremely poisonous if parts are ingested, or if they are not handled properly. Genera containing

cardiac glycoside Cardiac glycosides are a class of organic compounds that increase the output force of the heart and decrease its rate of contractions by inhibiting the cellular sodium-potassium ATPase pump. Their beneficial medical uses are as treatments for co ...

s— '' Cerbera'', '' Nerium'', ''

Asclepias ''Asclepias'' is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. Most species are toxic to human ...

'', '' Cascabela'', '' Strophanthus,'' ''

'', '' Apocynum,'' ''

Thevetia ''Thevetia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described for modern science as a genus in 1758. It is native to Mexico, Central America, South America, and Cuba. The taxonomy of the genus is controversial, with some ...

,'' etc.—have therapeutic ranges, but are often associated with accidental poisonings, in many cases lethal (see below).

Alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Th ...

-producing species like ''

Rauvolfia serpentina ''Rauvolfia serpentina'', the Indian snakeroot, devil pepper, or serpentine wood, is a species of flower in the milkweed family Apocynaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and East Asia (from India to Indonesia). ''Rauvolfia'' ...

,'' '' Catharanthus roseus,'' and '' Tabernanthe iboga'' are likewise the source of compounds with therapeutic ranges, but which have significant associated toxicities if not taken in appropriate doses and in controlled fashion. (See below)

Uses

Several members of the family Apocynaceae have had economic uses in the past. Several are sources of important

natural product A natural product is a natural compound or substance produced by a living organism—that is, found in nature. In the broadest sense, natural products include any substance produced by life. Natural products can also be prepared by chemical sy ...

s—pharmacologic tool compounds and drug research candidates, and in some cases actual prescription drugs.

Cardiac glycoside Cardiac glycosides are a class of organic compounds that increase the output force of the heart and decrease its rate of contractions by inhibiting the cellular sodium-potassium ATPase pump. Their beneficial medical uses are as treatments for co ...

s, which affect heart function, are a ready example. Genera studied and known to contain such glycosides include ''

'', '' Apocynum'', '' Cerbera'', '' Nerium'', ''

'' and '' Strophanthus.'' ''

'' (Indian snakeroot) contains the alkaloid

reserpine Reserpine is a drug that is used for the treatment of high blood pressure, usually in combination with a thiazide diuretic or vasodilator. Large clinical trials have shown that combined treatment with reserpine plus a thiazide diuretic reduces m ...

, which has been used as an antihypertensive and an antipsychotic drug but its adverse effects limit its clinical use. '' Catharanthus roseus'' yields alkaloids used in the treatment of cancer. '' Tabernanthe iboga, Voacanga africana, and Tabernaemontana undulata'' contain the alkaloid ibogaine, which is a

psychedelic drug Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science ...

which may help with drug addiction, but which has significant adverse effects, with ibogaine being both cardiotoxic and neurotoxic. Ajmalicine, an

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Th ...

found in ''

'' spp., '' Catharanthus roseus'', and ''

Mitragyna speciosa ''Mitragyna speciosa'' (commonly known as kratom, an herbal leaf from a tree of the Rubiaceae family, ) is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanma ...

'', is an

antihypertensive Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Antihypertensive therapy seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Evidence suggests that ...

drug A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhal ...

used in the treatment of high

blood pressure Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the circulatory system. When used without qualification, the term "blood pressur ...

. Many genera are grown as

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...

s, including '' Amsonia'' (bluestar), '' Nerium'' (oleander), '' Vinca'' (periwinkle), '' Carissa'' (Natal plum), '' Allamanda'' (golden trumpet), '' Plumeria'' (frangipani), ''

'', ''

Mandevilla ''Mandevilla'' is a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering vines belonging to the family Apocynaceae. It was first described as a genus in 1840. A common name is rocktrumpet. ''Mandevilla'' species are native to the Southwestern United ...

'' (Savannah flower), and '' Adenium'' (desert-rose). In addition, the genera ''

'', ''

Carpodinus ''Landolphia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1806. They take the form of vines that scramble over host trees. ''Landolphia'' is native to tropical Africa. Characteristics There are about f ...

'', and ''

Mascarenhasia ''Mascarenhasia'' is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1844. It is native to Africa and a few islands in the Indian Ocean. Several species are endemic to Madagascar. ;Species # ''Mascarenhasia arborescens'' A. ...

'' have been used as commercial sources of inferior rubber. (See Congo rubber). There are limited dietary uses of plants from this family. The flower of '' Fernaldia pandurata'' (common name: ') is edible. '' Carissa'' (Natal plum) produces an edible fruit, but all other parts of the plant are poisonous. The genus '' Apocynum'' was reportedly used as a source of fiber by Native Americans. The aromatic fruit juice from ''

Saba comorensis ''Saba comorensis'' is a species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is commonly called bungo fruit (pl. mabungo), mbungo, or rubber vine and is widespread across most of tropical Africa as well as in Madagascar and Comoros. It gro ...

'' (syn. ''Landolphia comorensis'', the Bungo or Mbungo fruit) is used as a drink. Finally, ethnopharmacologic and ethnotoxicologic uses are also known. The roots of '' Tabernanthe iboga'' and certain '' Voacanga'' species have traditionally been used ceremonially as hallucinogens in Africa. The ibogaine-type alkaloids responsible for the psychoactivity of these plants have been studied with regard to the treatment of drug addiction. The juice of ''

'' species such as '' A. venenata'' and the milky juice of the

Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and e ...

n '' Pachypodium'' have been used as poison for arrow tips. Many species are ornamental in gardens or as houseplants.

Gallery

Flowers

File:Acokanthera oblongifolia 2445.JPG, '' Acokanthera oblongifolia'' File:Adenium obesum3.jpg, '' Adenium obesum'' File:Allamanda cathartica flowers 2.JPG, '' Allamanda cathartica'' File:糖膠樹(黑板樹) Alstonia scholaris -香港中央圖書館 Hong Kong Central Library- (9237370435).jpg, ''

Alstonia scholaris ''Alstonia scholaris'', commonly called blackboard tree, Scholar Tree, Milkwood or devil's tree in English, is an evergreen tropical tree in the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae). It is native to southern China, tropical Asia (mainly the Indian subcon ...

'' File:Alyxia.oliviformis1web.jpg, '' Alyxia oliviformis'' File:Amsonia tabernaemontana kz01.jpg, ''

Amsonia tabernaemontana ''Amsonia tabernaemontana'', the eastern bluestar, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, found in central and eastern North America. Gallery File:Amsonia tabernaemontana kz01.jpg, Detail of inflorescence File ...

'' File:Ancylobothrys capensis08.jpg, ''

Ancylobothrys capensis ''Ancylobothrys capensis'', the wild apricot, is a tangled, sprawling, multi-stemmed Southern African creeper of the family Apocynaceae. It is evergreen, often scrambling over rocks and other plants. New growth is covered in velvety, reddish-b ...

'' File:Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-017.jpg, ''

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco ''Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco'', commonly known as Quebracho blanco, kebrako, or white quebracho, is a South American tree species, native to Brazil, northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It must not be confused with other ...

'' illustration in Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen File:Caralluma burchardii IMGP8282.JPG, ''

Apteranthes burchardii ''Apteranthes burchardii'' is a fleshy and superficially cactus-like plant that belongs to the genus ''Apteranthes'' in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the family Apocynaceae. Its basionym is ''Caralluma burchardii''. This species is native t ...

'' File:Asclepias curassavica 1854.jpg, ''

Asclepias curassavica ''Asclepias curassavica'', commonly known as tropical milkweed, is a flowering plant species of the milkweed genus, ''Asclepias''. It is native to the American tropics and has a pantropical distribution as an introduced species. Other common nam ...

'' File:Caralluma acutangula Bild0685.jpg, ''

Caralluma acutangula ''Caralluma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species. In 1795 William Roxburgh published the name '' Stapelia adscendens'' for a plant found in India. He commented that the name for the plant ...

'' File:Caralluma europaea - cvet.jpg, ''

Caralluma europaea ''Caralluma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species. In 1795 William Roxburgh published the name '' Stapelia adscendens'' for a plant found in India. He commented that the name for the plant ...

'' File:Caralluma socotrana 01.jpg, ''

Caralluma socotrana ''Caralluma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species. In 1795 William Roxburgh published the name '' Stapelia adscendens'' for a plant found in India. He commented that the name for the plant ...

'' File:Cascabela thevetia1MTFL.jpg, ''

Cascabela thevetia ''Cascabela thevetia'' (syn: ''Thevetia peruviana'') is a poisonous plant native throughout Mexico and in Central America, and cultivated widely as an ornamental. It is a relative of ''Nerium oleander'', giving it a common name yellow oleander, a ...

'' (syn. ''Thevetia peruviana'') File:Catharanthus roseus-IMG 5432.jpg, '' Catharanthus roseus'' File:Cerbera manghas flower.jpg, '' Cerbera manghas'' File:Cryptolepis buchananii (2618297906).jpg, '' Cryptolepis dubia'' File:Cycladeniahumilisjonesii.JPG, '' Cycladenia humilis var.jonesii'' File:Holarrhena pubescens flowers.jpg, ''

Holarrhena pubescens ''Holarrhena pubescens'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native to central and southern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, and parts of China China, officially the People's Republic of China ...

'' File:Hoodia gordonii 1DS-II 2-3327.jpg, ''

Hoodia gordonii ''Hoodia gordonii'', also known as Bushman’s hat, is a leafless spiny succulent plant supposed to have therapeutic properties in folk medicine. It grows naturally in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. The species became internationally known ...

'' File:Hoya FR 2013.jpg, '' Hoya carnosa'' File:Mandevilla boliviensis.jpg, ''

Mandevilla boliviensis ''Mandevilla boliviensis'' is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, native to a region ranging from Costa Rica south to Bolivia and Brazil.Nico Vermeulen:"The Complete Encyclopedia of Container Plants", pp. 169-170. Rebo ...

'' File:Nerium oleander pink.jpg, '' Nerium oleander'' File:Ochrosia borbonica 02.JPG, '' Ochrosia borbonica'' File:Pachypodium lamerei 5Dsr 1733.jpg, '' Pachypodium lamerei'' File:Comarca Oeste, Las Palmas, Spain - panoramio.jpg, ''Pachypodium lamerei'' growth habit File:Fiore di Periploca graeca.jpg, '' Periploca graeca'' File:Plumeria rubra L. (2257161947).jpg, ''

Plumeria rubra ''Plumeria rubra'' is a deciduous plant species belonging to the genus '' Plumeria''."Botanica. The Illustrated AZ of over 10000 garden plants and how to cultivate them", p. 691. Könemann, 2004. Originally native to Mexico, Central America, C ...

'' File:Rhabdadenia madida.jpg, ''

Rhabdadenia madida ''Rhabdadenia'' is a genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1860. It is native to South America, Central America, southern Mexico, the West Indies, and Florida.Morales, J.F. (2009). Estudios en las Apocynaceae Neot ...

'' File:Rauvolfia serpentina 11.JPG, ''

'' File:Saba senegalensis 0002.jpg, ''

Saba senegalensis ''Saba senegalensis'', known as ''weda'' in the Mossi language, Moore, French language, French, and English language, English languages, is a fruit-producing plant of the Apocynaceae family, native to the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. It h ...

'' File:Secamone alpini00.jpg, ''

Secamone alpini ''Secamone alpini'' (also known as monkey rope or melktou) is a species of forest creeper in the family Apocynaceae. Its natural habitat is the afro-montane forests of eastern and southern Africa, from Kenya to Cape Province. References ...

'' File:Aasblume Aug 2005.jpg, '' Stapelia gigantea'' File:Strophanthus speciosus 1DS-II 6026.jpg, '' Strophanthus speciosus'' File:Tabernaemontana divaricata flower in jaffna.JPG, '' Tabernaemontana divaricata'' File:Tabernanthe iboga MS 4098.jpg, '' Tabernanthe iboga'' in flower and fruit. File:(MAD) T. jasminoides-1.jpg, '' Trachelospermum jasminoides'' File:Vinca minor beentree.jpg, ''

Vinca minor ''Vinca minor'' (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, native to central and southern Europe, from Portugal and France north to the Netherlands and the Baltic States, east to ...

'' File:Wrightia tinctoria flowers in Keesaraguda, AP W IMG 9109.jpg, '' Wrightia tinctoria'' File:Wrightia antidysenterica (2).JPG, '' Wrightia antidysenterica'' File:Wrightia tinctoria 09.JPG, '' Wrightia tinctoria'' single flower

Fruits

File:Acokanthera oblongifolia 03.jpg, '' Acokanthera oblongifolia'' File:Fruits in Adenuim Obesum Plant on Terrace garden.jpg, '' Adenium obesum'' File:Adenium obesum pod and seeds.jpg, '' Adenium obesum'' dehiscence of single fruit. File:Allamanda cathartica MHNT.jpg, '' Allamanda cathartica'' File:Alstonia scholaris fruits.JPG, ''

'' File:Alyxia oliviformis fruit.jpg, '' Alyxia oliviformis'' File:Amsonia tabernaemontana container plant in fruit (paired follicles).jpg, ''

'' containerised specimen in fruit File:Amsonia tabernaemontana single paired follicle detached from plant (pale side).jpg, ''Amsonia tabernaemontana'' single paired follicle detached from plant (paler, unsunned side) File:Ancylobothrys capensis, vrugte, Faerie Glen NR.jpg, ''

'' File:Milkweed-in-seed.jpg, '' Asclepias syriaca'' dehiscent follicles (before unfurling of

pappi In Asteraceae, the pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual floret, that surrounds the base of the corolla tube in flower. It functions as a wind-dispersal mechanism for the seeds. The term is sometimes used for similar s ...

) File:Asclepias curassavica 003.JPG, ''

'' dehiscent follicles shedding seeds with unfurled pappi File:Thevetia peruviana 04.JPG, ''

'' (syn.''Thevetia peruviana'') File:Thevetia peruviana - Fruits.jpg, ''

'' (syn.''Thevetia peruviana''): dissection of toxic fruits. File:Cerbera tanghin - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-176.jpg, '' Cerbera manghas'' File:Cryptolepis buchananii (6048993215).jpg, '' Cryptolepis dubia'' File:Holarrhena pubescens fruits.jpg, ''

'' File:Hoodia gordonii Frucht P1010402.JPG, ''

Hoodia gordoniI ''Hoodia gordonii'', also known as Bushman’s hat, is a leafless spiny succulent plant supposed to have therapeutic properties in folk medicine. It grows naturally in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. The species became internationally known ...

'' File:Mandevilla boliviensis 9zz.jpg, ''

'' File:Nerium oleander seeds.jpg, '' Nerium oleander'' (dehiscence) File:Ochrosia borbonica fruit 1.JPG, '' Ochrosia borbonica'' File:Pachypodium namaquanum 1DS-II 1-C5587.jpg, '' Pachypodium namaquanum'' File:Periploca graeca Silk Vine ღვედკეცი.JPG, '' Periploca graeca'' File:Plumeria alba (seed pods).jpg, '' Plumeria alba'' File:സർപഗന്ധി വിത്തുകൾ 13.JPG, ''

'' File:Saba senegalensis MS 1367.JPG, ''

'' unripe fruit File:Saba senegalensis - fruit pulp sections.jpg, ''

'': dissection of ripe, edible fruit File:Secamone parvifolia 1DS-II 3-3506.jpg, ''

Secamone parvifolia ''Secamone'' is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1810. It is widespread across much of Africa, northern Australia, southern Asia, with numerous species endemic to Madagascar.Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. M. Welm ...

'' File:Stapelia gigantea 1DS-II 8834.jpg, '' Stapelia gigantea'' File:Strophanthus speciosus, vrugkapsule en sade, Manie van der Schijff BT, a.jpg, '' Strophanthus speciosus'' (dehiscence) File:Tabernaemontana catharinensis (1).JPG, '' Tabernaemontana catharinensis'' (dehiscence) File:Iboga.jpg, '' Tabernanthe iboga'' File:Trachelospermum jasminoides fruits+seeds.jpg, '' Trachelospermum jasminoides'' (dehiscence) File:Trachelospermum jasminoides seeds.jpg, ''Trachelospermum jasminoides'': individual seeds, showing pappus File:Vinca major vima 002 php.jpg, '' Vinca major'' (seeds) File:Illustration Vinca minor0 clean.png, ''

'': botanical plate showing paired fruits (no. 5) File:Wrightia tinctoria 32.JPG, '' Wrightia tinctoria''

Pachycaul species

File:Desert rose Adenium obesum in Tanzania 2259 Nevit.jpg, '' Adenium obesum'' growth habit of wild specimens, Tanzania File:Desert Rose (Adenium obesum), Ghana.jpg, ''Adenium obesum'' close-up of colossal specimen, Ghana File:Desert Rose, Socotra Is (17131661372).jpg, ''Adenium obesum'' trunk of extreme pachycaul specimen, Socotra File:Pachypodium lamerei 01.jpg, '' Pachypodium lamerei'' wild specimen of maximum height (approx ) attained by species File:Pachypodium lamieri1MTFL.jpg, '' Pachypodium lamerei'' in flower File:PachypodiumLamerei.jpg, ''Pachypodium lamerei'' mature, multi-trunked specimen cultivated in glasshouse File:Pachypodium namaquanum00.jpg, '' Pachypodium namaquanum''

References

External links

Apocynaceae
i

* *