Apocynaceae
Encyclopedia
The Apocynaceae or dogbane family is a family of flowering plants that includes tree
s, shrub
s, herb
s, and liana
s.
Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforest
s, and most are from the tropics
and subtropics
, but some grow in tropical dry, xeric environments. There are also perennial
herbs from temperate zones. Many of these plants have milky sap
; and many species are poison
ous if ingested. Some genera of Apocynaceae, such as Adenium
however, have either clear and milky, latex sap, and others, such as Pachypodium
, always have clear sap.
is now, according to AGP II
, included in the Apocynaceae.
There are five subfamilies:
The former two sub-families were part of the Apocynaceae sensu stricto, whilst the latter three sub-families used to belong to the Asclepiadaceae. The Apocynaceae is the result of a conflation of the two families.
A common term for the family is dogbane family, after the American plant known as dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum
.
Species in this family are distributed mainly in tropical regions:
s with milky sap. The leave
s are simple, usually opposite and decussate, or whorled; lacking stipule
s. Flower
s are usually showy, actinomorphic, aggregated in cymose or racemose inflorescence
s (rarely fasciculate or solitary). They are perfect (bisexual), with a synsepalous, 5-lobed calyx that is united into a tube at the base. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary. Five petals are united into a tube with 4-5 epipetalous stamen
s. The style is expanded at the apex into a massive clavuncle just below the stigma. The ovary
is usually superior.
The fruit is a drupe
, a berry
, a capsule
or a follicle
.
The following genera used to belong to the family Asclepiadaceae:
Several plants of this family had economic uses in the past.
The genera Carpodinus, Landolphia, Hancornia
, Funtumia and Mascarenhasia were used as a commercial source of inferior rubber.
The juice of Acokanthera
species such as A. venenata
and the milky juice of the Namibia
n Pachypodium
has been used as venom for arrow tips by the Bushmen
. Some sources state that Pachypodium do not have a milky sap.
Several genera are grown as ornamental plant
s, including Amsonia
(bluestar), Nerium (oleander), Vinca
(periwinkle), Carissa
(Natal plum, an edible fruit), Allamanda
(golden trumpet), Plumeria
(frangipani), Thevetia
(lucky nut), Mandevilla
(Savannah flower), Adenium
(desert-rose).
Some are sources of important drugs, such as cardiac glycoside
s, which affect heart function. These include the Acokanthera
, Apocynum
, Cerbera
, Nerium, Thevetia
and Strophantus. Rauvolfia serpentina, or Indian Snakeroot, yields the alkaloid
s reserpine
and rescinnamine
, which are useful tools in the treatment of high blood pressure and even some forms of psychosis
. Catharanthus roseus
yields alkaloids used in treating cancer.
The genus Apocynum
was used as a source of fiber by Native Americans
.
The edible flower of Fernaldia pandurata
(common name: ) is a popular part of El Salvador
ian and Guatemala
n cooking.
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s, shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s, herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s, and liana
Liana
A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
s.
Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s, and most are from the tropics
Tropics
The tropics is a region of the Earth surrounding the Equator. It is limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at S; these latitudes correspond to the axial tilt of the Earth...
and subtropics
Subtropics
The subtropics are the geographical and climatical zone of the Earth immediately north and south of the tropical zone, which is bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, at latitudes 23.5°N and 23.5°S...
, but some grow in tropical dry, xeric environments. There are also perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
herbs from temperate zones. Many of these plants have milky sap
Latex
Latex is the stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latexes may be natural or synthetic.Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants . It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins,...
; and many species are poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ous if ingested. Some genera of Apocynaceae, such as Adenium
Adenium
Adenium is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Cultivation and uses:Adenium obesum is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. Numerous hybrids have been developed. Adeniums are appreciated for their colorful flowers, but also for their unusual, thick caudexes...
however, have either clear and milky, latex sap, and others, such as Pachypodium
Pachypodium
Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Pachypodium comes from a Latin form from Greek pachus and podion , hence meaning thick-footed.-Genus characteristics:All Pachypodium are succulent plants that...
, always have clear sap.
Taxonomy
The family, as currently recognized, includes some 1500 species divided in about 424 genera. The family AsclepiadaceaeAsclepiadaceae
According to APG II, the Asclepiadaceae is a former plant family now treated as a subfamily in the Apocynaceae...
is now, according to AGP II
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group
The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, or APG, refers to an informal international group of systematic botanists who came together to try to establish a consensus on the taxonomy of flowering plants that would reflect new knowledge about plant relationships discovered through phylogenetic studies., three...
, included in the Apocynaceae.
There are five subfamilies:
- ApocynoideaeApocynoideaeApocynoideae is a subfamily of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae . It contains about 78 genera with roughly 860 species. The diverse species have pharmacological interests. Important genera include Nerium.-Genera:...
- Asclepiadoideae
- Periplocoideae
- Rauvolfioideae
- Secamonoideae
The former two sub-families were part of the Apocynaceae sensu stricto, whilst the latter three sub-families used to belong to the Asclepiadaceae. The Apocynaceae is the result of a conflation of the two families.
A common term for the family is dogbane family, after the American plant known as dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum
Apocynum cannabinum
Apocynum cannabinum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America - in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs"...
.
Distribution
- In the rainforests and swampSwampA swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s of IndomalayaIndomalayaThe Indomalaya ecozone is one of the eight ecozones that cover the planet's land surface. It extends across most of South and Southeast Asia and into the southern parts of East Asia....
: small to very tall evergreenEvergreenIn botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
treeTreeA tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s up to 80 m tall, often with buttress roots, such as AlstoniaAlstoniaAlstonia is a widespread genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the dogbane family . It was named by Robert Brown in 1811, after Charles Alston , Professor of botany at Edinburgh from 1716-1760....
and DyeraDyeraDyera is a genus of tropical trees up to 80 m in height in family Apocynaceae occurring in southeast Asia. It contains the following two species:* Dyera costulata* Dyera polyphylla...
. - In northern Australia: small evergreen trees such as AlstoniaAlstoniaAlstonia is a widespread genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the dogbane family . It was named by Robert Brown in 1811, after Charles Alston , Professor of botany at Edinburgh from 1716-1760....
, AlyxiaAlyxiaAlyxia is an Australasian genus of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It contains at present 106 species, but Alyxia stellata and A. tisserantii are very variable, might be cryptic species complexes, and are need of further study. It consists of shrubby, climbing or scrambling plants...
, CerberaCerberaCerbera is a genus of 10-15 species of evergreen small trees or shrubs, native to tropical Asia, Australia, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
and OchrosiaOchrosiaOchrosia is a genus of flowering plant in the milkweed family, Apocynaceae.Species include:* Ochrosia ackeringae Miq. * Ochrosia borbonica J.F.Gmel. * Ochrosia compta K.Schum...
. - In deciduous forests of Africa and India: smaller trees such as CarissaCarissaCarissa is a genus of about 20-30 species of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and Asia....
, WrightiaWrightiaWrightia is a genus of 23 species of flowering plants in the Apocynaceae family, native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia...
and Holarrhena. - In tropical America, India, Myanmar and Malaya: evergreen trees and shrubs, such as Rauvolfia, TabernaemontanaTabernaemontanaTabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It has a pan-tropical distribution. These plants are shrubs and small trees growing to 1-15 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3-25 cm long, with milky sap; hence it is one of the diverse plant...
and AcokantheraAcokantheraAcokanthera 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 deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons....
. - In Central America: PlumeriaPlumeriaPlumeria is a genus of flowering plants of the family that includes Dogbane: the Apocynaceae. It contains 7-8 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees...
, or the frangipani, with its waxy white or pink flowers and a sweet scent. - In South America, Africa and Madagascar: many lianaLianaA liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
s such as Landolphia. - In the Mediterranean region: Nerium, with the well-known oleanderOleanderNerium oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as oleander, from its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea, but has many other...
or Be-still tree (Nerium oleander). - The only genera found in temperate EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
away from the Mediterranean are VincaVincaVinca is a genus of six species in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus .-Description:Vinca plants are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1–2 m long...
(Apocynoideae) and VincetoxicumVincetoxicumVincetoxicum is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. Although the species in Vincetoxicum have sometimes been included in Cynanchum, chemical and molecular evidence shows that Vincetoxicum is more closely related to Tylophora....
(Asclepiadoideae). - In North America: ApocynumApocynumApocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus of the plant family of the Apocynaceae with seven species. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity...
, dogbane or Indian hemp, including Apocynum cannabinumApocynum cannabinumApocynum cannabinum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America - in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs"...
, a traditional source of fiber. - In continental southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe) and Madagascar, except for the humid evergreen forest of the eastern side of Madagascar, and never above 2000 m for the entire island: PachypodiumPachypodiumPachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Pachypodium comes from a Latin form from Greek pachus and podion , hence meaning thick-footed.-Genus characteristics:All Pachypodium are succulent plants that...
.
Characteristics
The dogbane family consists of trees, shrubs, herbs, or lianaLiana
A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
s with milky sap. The leave
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
s are simple, usually opposite and decussate, or whorled; lacking stipule
Stipule
In botany, stipule is a term coined by Linnaeus which refers to outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk...
s. Flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are usually showy, actinomorphic, aggregated in cymose or racemose inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s (rarely fasciculate or solitary). They are perfect (bisexual), with a synsepalous, 5-lobed calyx that is united into a tube at the base. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary. Five petals are united into a tube with 4-5 epipetalous stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s. The style is expanded at the apex into a massive clavuncle just below the stigma. The ovary
Ovary (plants)
In the flowering plants, an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or gynoecium. Specifically, it is the part of the pistil which holds the ovule and is located above or below or at the point of connection with the base of the petals and sepals...
is usually superior.
The fruit is a drupe
Drupe
In botany, a drupe is a fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. These fruits develop from a single carpel, and mostly from flowers with superior ovaries...
, a berry
Berry
The botanical definition of a berry is a fleshy fruit produced from a single ovary. Grapes are an example. The berry is the most common type of fleshy fruit in which the entire ovary wall ripens into an edible pericarp. They may have one or more carpels with a thin covering and fleshy interiors....
, a capsule
Capsule (fruit)
In botany a capsule is a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. A capsule is a structure composed of two or more carpels that in most cases is dehiscent, i.e. at maturity, it splits apart to release the seeds within. A few capsules are indehiscent, for example...
or a follicle
Follicle (fruit)
In botany, a follicle is a dry unilocular many-seeded fruit formed from one carpel and dehiscing by the ventral suture in order to release seeds, such as in larkspur, magnolia, banksia, peony and milkweed....
.
Apocynoideae
- AcokantheraAcokantheraAcokanthera 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 deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons....
- AdeniumAdeniumAdenium is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Cultivation and uses:Adenium obesum is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. Numerous hybrids have been developed. Adeniums are appreciated for their colorful flowers, but also for their unusual, thick caudexes...
- Aganonerion
- Aganosma
- Alafia
- AllamandaAllamandaAllamanda, also known as Yellow Bell, Golden Trumpet or Buttercup Flower, is a genus of tropical shrubs or vines belonging to the dogbane family .The genus Alamanda is native to South and Central America...
- AllomarkgrafiaAllomarkgrafiaAllomarkgrafia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae....
- Allowoodsonia
- AlstoniaAlstoniaAlstonia is a widespread genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the dogbane family . It was named by Robert Brown in 1811, after Charles Alston , Professor of botany at Edinburgh from 1716-1760....
- AlyxiaAlyxiaAlyxia is an Australasian genus of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It contains at present 106 species, but Alyxia stellata and A. tisserantii are very variable, might be cryptic species complexes, and are need of further study. It consists of shrubby, climbing or scrambling plants...
- AmalocalyxAmalocalyxAmalocalyx is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae consisting of lianas often found clinging to trees. It includes three species:*Amalocalyx burmanicus Chatterjee*Amalocalyx microlobus Pierre*Amalocalyx yunnanensis Tsiang...
- Ambelania
- AmsoniaAmsoniaAmsonia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It is named in honor of the American botanist Charles Amson. Members of the genus are commonly known as bluestars.-Species:...
- Ancylobotrys
- Anechites
- Angadenia
- AnodendronAnodendronAnodendron is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Anodendron rhinosporum, Thwaites...
- ApocynumApocynumApocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus of the plant family of the Apocynaceae with seven species. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity...
- Arduina
- Artia
- Asketanthera
- AspidospermaAspidospermaAspidosperma is a genus of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae.Species include:*Aspidosperma curranii*Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon*Aspidosperma darienense*Aspidosperma dasycarpon*Aspidosperma discolor...
- Baissea
- BeaumontiaBeaumontiaBeaumontia A small genus of evergreen woody vines in the East Indies and Asia. This genus consists of 9 species of often rampant climbers and vines, and belongs to the oleander or dogbane family.-Description:...
- Bousigonia
- Cabucala
- Callichilia
- Calocrater
- CamerariaCameraria (plant)Cameraria is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Cameraria microphylla, Britton...
- CarissaCarissaCarissa is a genus of about 20-30 species of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and Asia....
- Carpodinus
- Carruthersia
- Carvalhoa
- CatharanthusCatharanthusCatharanthus is a genus of eight species of herbaceous perennial plants, six endemic to the island of Madagascar, the seventh and eighth native to the Indian subcontinent in southern Asia...
- CerberaCerberaCerbera is a genus of 10-15 species of evergreen small trees or shrubs, native to tropical Asia, Australia, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
- CerberiopsisCerberiopsisCerberiopsis is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Cerberiopsis neriifolia, Boit.* Cerberiopsis obtusifolia, Boit....
- Chamaeclitandra
- Chilocarpus
- ChonemorphaChonemorphaChonemorpha is a genus that consists of twelve species of large evergreen vigorous woody vines with milky sap from India, Ceylon to South East Asia, the Philippines and South China. Growing dormant in sub-tropical and tropical climates and usually losing leaves if temperature gets below 60F. The...
- CleghorniaCleghorniaCleghornia is a genus of plants in the dogbane family; its various species are distributed in Borneo, China, Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The genus name was chosen in dedication to Dr. Hugh Cleghorn, the "father of scientific forestry in India".-External links:*...
- Clitandra
- Condylocarpon
- Couma
- Craspidospermum
- CriocerasCriocerasCrioceras is an extinct cephalopod genus belonging to the subclass Ammonoidea and included in the family Crioceratidae of the ammonitid superfamily Ancylocerataceae. Crioceras is considered by some to be a junior synomym of Crioceratites...
- CycladeniaCycladeniaCycladenia humilis is the sole member of the monotypic genus Cycladenia. Known by the common name Sacramento waxydogbane, it is an uncommon plant native to the southwestern United States, especially California. It is found at some elevation in several mountain ranges in the region...
- Cyclocotyla
- Cylindropsis
- Delphyodon
- Dewevrella
- Dictyophleba
- Dipladenia
- Diplorhynchus
- DyeraDyeraDyera is a genus of tropical trees up to 80 m in height in family Apocynaceae occurring in southeast Asia. It contains the following two species:* Dyera costulata* Dyera polyphylla...
- EcdysantheraEcdysantheraEcdysanthera is a plant genus in the family Apocynaceae....
- Echites
- Elytropus
- Epigynium
- Eucorymbia
- Farquharia
- FernaldiaFernaldiaFernaldia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae....
- ForsteroniaForsteroniaForsteronia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Forsteronia pycnothyrsus, K. Schum. ex Woodson* Forsteronia portoricensis Woods, 1934...
- Funtumia
- Galactophora
- Geissospermum
- Gonioma
- Grisseea
- GymnemaGymnemaGymnema is a genus in the family Asclepiadaceae containing 119 species.-Selected species:* Gymnema acuminatum Wall.* Gymnema affine Decne.* Gymnema albidum Decne....
- HancorniaHancorniaHancornia is a genus of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae.-External links:...
- Haplophyton
- Himatanthus
- Holarrhena
- HoyaHoyaHoya is a genus of 200-300 species of tropical plants in the family Apocynaceae , fomerly considered to be in the Asclepiadaceae...
- HunteriaHunteriaHunteria is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Hunteria ghanensis, J. Hall & Leeuwenb....
- Hymenolophus
- Ichnocarpus
- Isonema
- Ixodonerium
- Kamettia
- KibataliaKibataliaKibatalia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Kibatalia borneensis, Merr.* Kibatalia elmeri, Woodson* Kibatalia gitingensis, Woodson* Kibatalia longifolia, Merr....
- KopsiaKopsiaKopsia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. Kopsia includes 61 species.-Species:Species include:*Kopsia alba Ridl. ex M.R.Hend.*Kopsia albiflora Boerl.*Kopsia angustipetala Kerr*Kopsia arborea Blume...
- Lacmellea
- Landolphia
- Laubertia
- Laxoplumeria
- LepiniaLepiniaLepinia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It contains the following species :* Lepinia taitensis, Decne....
- Lepiniopsis
- Leuconotis
- Lochnera
- Lyonsia
- Macoubea
- Macropharynx
- MacrosiphoniaMacrosiphoniaMacrosiphonia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words μακρός , meaning "large," and σίφων , meaning "tube." It refers to the shape of the flowers...
- MalouetiaMalouetiaMalouetia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Malouetia isthmica, Markgr.*Malouetia tamaquarinaMalouetia tamaquarina is used as an additive to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink Ayahuasca....
- MandevillaMandevillaMandevilla is a genus of plants belonging to the family Apocynaceae, the Periwinkle family. It consists of about 100 species, mostly tropical and subtropical flowering vines....
- Mascarenhasia
- MelodinusMelodinusMelodinus is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Melodinus axillaris, W.T.Wang* Melodinus yunnanensis, Tsiang & P.T.Li...
- Mesechites
- Micrechtites
- Microplumeria
- Molongum
- Mortoniella
- Motandra
- Mucoa
- Neobracea
- Neocouma
- Nerium
- Nouettea
- OchrosiaOchrosiaOchrosia is a genus of flowering plant in the milkweed family, Apocynaceae.Species include:* Ochrosia ackeringae Miq. * Ochrosia borbonica J.F.Gmel. * Ochrosia compta K.Schum...
- Odontadenia
- Oncinotis
- Orthopichonia
- PachypodiumPachypodiumPachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Pachypodium comes from a Latin form from Greek pachus and podion , hence meaning thick-footed.-Genus characteristics:All Pachypodium are succulent plants that...
- Pachouria
- Papuechites
- Parahancornia
- Parameria
- ParepigynumParepigynumParepigynum is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It contains the following species :* Parepigynum funingense, Tsiang & P.T.Li...
- ParsonsiaParsonsiaParsonsia is a genus of woody vines of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Species occur from South East Asia to New Guinea as well as in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.-Description:...
- Peltastes
- Pentalinon
- Petchia
- Picralima
- Plectaneia
- Pleiocarpa
- PleiocerasPleiocerasPleioceras is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae.Species include:* Pleioceras orientale, Vollesen...
- PlumeriaPlumeriaPlumeria is a genus of flowering plants of the family that includes Dogbane: the Apocynaceae. It contains 7-8 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees...
- Pottsia
- Prestonia
- Pycnobotrya
- Quiotania
- Rauvolfia
- Rhabdadenia
- Rhazya
- Rhigospira
- Rhodocalyx
- Rhyncodia
- Saba
- Schizozygia
- Secondatia
- Sindechites
- Skytanthus
- Spirolobium
- Spongiosperma
- StemmadeniaStemmadeniaStemmadenia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It contains the following species :* Stemmadenia donnell-smithii* Stemmadenia obovata* Stemmadenia pauli, Leeuwenberg...
- StephanostegiaStephanostegiaStephanostegia is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It contains the following species :* Stephanostegia capuronii, Mark...
- Stephanostema
- Stipecoma
- StrempeliopsisStrempeliopsisStrempeliopsis is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It contains the following species :* Strempeliopsis arborea, Urb....
- StrophanthusStrophanthusStrophanthus is a genus of 35-40 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, native mainly to tropical Africa, extending to South Africa, with a few species in Asia, from southern India to the Philippines and southern China. The name derives from the long twisted threadlike segments of...
- TabernaemontanaTabernaemontanaTabernaemontana is a genus of 100-110 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It has a pan-tropical distribution. These plants are shrubs and small trees growing to 1-15 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 3-25 cm long, with milky sap; hence it is one of the diverse plant...
- Tabernanthe
- Temnadenia
- Thenardia
- ThevetiaThevetiaThevetia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Species species:*Thevetia ahouai A.DC.*Thevetia ovata A.DC.*Thevetia peruviana K.Schum.*Thevetia thevetioides K.Schum....
- Tintinnabularia
- TrachelospermumTrachelospermumTrachelospermum is a genus of about 15 species of evergreen woody vines in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. All species are native to southern and eastern Asia except for T. difforme, which can be found in southeastern North America....
- Urceola
- Urnularia
- Vahadenia
- Vallariopsis
- VallarisVallarisVallaris is a genus of plants in the family Apocynaceae.Species include:*Vallaris glabra - bread flower, kesidang *Vallaris indecora*Vallaris solanacea-References:...
- Vallesia
- VincaVincaVinca is a genus of six species in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus .-Description:Vinca plants are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1–2 m long...
- Voacanga
- WillughbeiaWillughbeiaWillughbeia is a genus of plant in the family Apocynaceae, many of which are eaten as fruit in Asian countries. Many are vines with sticky latex.-Selected species:* W. angustifolia Markgr.* W. anomala Markgr....
- Woytkowskia
- WrightiaWrightiaWrightia is a genus of 23 species of flowering plants in the Apocynaceae family, native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia...
- Xylinabaria
- Xylinabariopsis
The following genera used to belong to the family Asclepiadaceae:
- AraujiaAraujiaAraujia is a small genus of perennial vines in the dogbane family. There are about five species native to South America.Species include:*Araujia megapotamica*Araujia sericifera - white bladderflower, cruel vine-External links:**...
- AsclepiasAsclepiasAsclepias L. , the milkweeds, is a genus of herbaceous perennial, dicotyledonous plants that contains over 140 known species...
(subfamily Asclepiadoideae) - CarallumaCarallumaCaralluma is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species.Once classified in the family Asclepiadaceae, it is now in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. The generic name is derived from the Arabic word qahr al-luhum, meaning "wound in the flesh" or...
- CeropegiaCeropegiaCeropegia is a genus of plants within the family Apocynaceae. It was named by Carl Linnaeus, who first described this genus in volume 1 of his Species plantarum, which appeared in 1753. Linnaeus thought that the flowers looked like a fountain of wax. From this the scientific name was derived:...
- CionuraCionuraCionura is a genus that consists of a few species of perennial plants found through the Mediterranean regions, the South and Eastern parts of the Balkan peninsula and Asia Minor to Afghanistan. The plants are woody stems, either upright or twinning with numerous herbaceous sprawling stems and...
- CynanchumCynanchumCynanchum is a genus of about 300 species including some swallowworts, belonging to the family Apocynaceae. The taxon name comes from Greek kynos and anchein , referring to the toxicity of these plants. Hence the common name for several species is dog-strangling vine...
- PeriplocaPeriploca (plant)Periploca is a genus of plants in the Apocynaceae family.-Species:* Periploca acuminata* Periploca albicans* Periploca alboflavescens* Periploca americana* Periploca angustifolia* Periploca aphylla...
(subfamily Periplocoideae) - VincetoxicumVincetoxicumVincetoxicum is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. Although the species in Vincetoxicum have sometimes been included in Cynanchum, chemical and molecular evidence shows that Vincetoxicum is more closely related to Tylophora....
Uses
The genera Carpodinus, Landolphia, Hancornia
Hancornia
Hancornia is a genus of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae.-External links:...
, Funtumia and Mascarenhasia were used as a commercial source of inferior rubber.
The juice of Acokanthera
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 deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons....
species such as A. venenata
Acokanthera venenata
Acokanthera venenata is a shrub used as the source of an arrow poison and to coat caltrops made from the sharp fruits of the puncture vine . All three plants of the genus Acokanthera contain toxic cardiac glycosides strong enough to cause death...
and the milky juice of the Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
n Pachypodium
Pachypodium
Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Pachypodium comes from a Latin form from Greek pachus and podion , hence meaning thick-footed.-Genus characteristics:All Pachypodium are succulent plants that...
has been used as venom for arrow tips by the Bushmen
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
. Some sources state that Pachypodium do not have a milky sap.
Several genera are grown as ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
s, including Amsonia
Amsonia
Amsonia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It is named in honor of the American botanist Charles Amson. Members of the genus are commonly known as bluestars.-Species:...
(bluestar), Nerium (oleander), Vinca
Vinca
Vinca is a genus of six species in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus .-Description:Vinca plants are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1–2 m long...
(periwinkle), Carissa
Carissa
Carissa is a genus of about 20-30 species of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and Asia....
(Natal plum, an edible fruit), Allamanda
Allamanda
Allamanda, also known as Yellow Bell, Golden Trumpet or Buttercup Flower, is a genus of tropical shrubs or vines belonging to the dogbane family .The genus Alamanda is native to South and Central America...
(golden trumpet), Plumeria
Plumeria
Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants of the family that includes Dogbane: the Apocynaceae. It contains 7-8 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees...
(frangipani), Thevetia
Thevetia
Thevetia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Species species:*Thevetia ahouai A.DC.*Thevetia ovata A.DC.*Thevetia peruviana K.Schum.*Thevetia thevetioides K.Schum....
(lucky nut), Mandevilla
Mandevilla
Mandevilla is a genus of plants belonging to the family Apocynaceae, the Periwinkle family. It consists of about 100 species, mostly tropical and subtropical flowering vines....
(Savannah flower), Adenium
Adenium
Adenium is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Cultivation and uses:Adenium obesum is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. Numerous hybrids have been developed. Adeniums are appreciated for their colorful flowers, but also for their unusual, thick caudexes...
(desert-rose).
Some are sources of important drugs, such as cardiac glycoside
Cardiac glycoside
Cardiac glycosides are drugs used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia. These glycosides are found as secondary metabolites in several plants, but also in some animals, such as the milkweed butterflies. -Function:...
s, which affect heart function. These include the Acokanthera
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 deadly cardiotoxic glycosides. The sap is among the most commonly used in arrow poisons....
, Apocynum
Apocynum
Apocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus of the plant family of the Apocynaceae with seven species. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity...
, Cerbera
Cerbera
Cerbera is a genus of 10-15 species of evergreen small trees or shrubs, native to tropical Asia, Australia, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
, Nerium, Thevetia
Thevetia
Thevetia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Species species:*Thevetia ahouai A.DC.*Thevetia ovata A.DC.*Thevetia peruviana K.Schum.*Thevetia thevetioides K.Schum....
and Strophantus. Rauvolfia serpentina, or Indian Snakeroot, yields the alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
s reserpine
Reserpine
Reserpine is an indole alkaloid antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and for the relief of psychotic symptoms, although because of the development of better drugs for these purposes and because of its numerous side-effects, it is rarely...
and rescinnamine
Rescinnamine
Rescinnamine is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor used as an antihypertensive drug.It is an alkaloid obtained from Rauwolfia serpentina and other species of Rauwolfia....
, which are useful tools in the treatment of high blood pressure and even some forms of psychosis
Psychosis
Psychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"...
. Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus is a species of Catharanthus native and endemic to Madagascar. Synonyms include Vinca rosea , Ammocallis rosea, and Lochnera rosea; other English names occasionally used include Cape Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle, and "Old-maid".In the wild, it is an endangered...
yields alkaloids used in treating cancer.
The genus Apocynum
Apocynum
Apocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus of the plant family of the Apocynaceae with seven species. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity...
was used as a source of fiber by Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
.
The edible flower of Fernaldia pandurata
Fernaldia pandurata
Fernaldia pandurata Woodson in family Apocynaceae is a vine with edible flowers that grows in El Salvador, the eastern part of Guatemala, and other Central American countries. It is an important and popular source of food in El Salvador and Guatemala...
(common name: ) is a popular part of El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
ian and Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
n cooking.
External links
- Apocynaceae in L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards).
- The Genera of Asclepiadoideae, Secamonoideae and Periplocoideae (Apocynaceae)