Apocynaceae

Apocynaceae
Apocynum cannabinum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae Juss.
Type genus
Apocynum L.
Synonyms
Asclepiadaceae Borkh. (nom. cons.) Periplocaceae Schltr. (nom. cons.) Plumeriaceae Horan. Stapeliaceae Horan. Vincaceae Vest Willughbeiaceae J. Agardh

Apocynaceae (/əˌpɑːsəˈneɪsiˌaɪ, -siːˌiː/, from Apocynum, Greek for "dog-away") is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, commonly known as the dogbane family,^[1] because some taxa were used as dog poison.^[when?][2] Members of the family are native to the European, Asian, African, Australian, and American tropics or subtropics, with some temperate members.^[1] 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

Growth pattern

The dogbane/milkweed

There is no stipule (a small leaf-like structure at the base of the leaf stem), or stipules are small and sometimes finger-like.^[3]

Inflorescence and fruit

The fruit is a drupe, a berry, a capsule, or a (frequently paired) follicle.^[1] The seeds are often winged or have appendages of long silky hairs.^[9]

Taxonomy

As of 2012, the family was described as comprising some 5,100 species, in five subfamilies:^[10]

• Apocynoideae Burnett, 1835
• Asclepiadaceae
  )
• Periplocoideae Endl., 1838
• Rauvolfioideae Kostel., 1834
• Secamonoideae Endl., 1838

The former family Asclepiadaceae is included in Apocynaceae according to the

376 genera are currently accepted.^[13]

Distribution and habitat

Species in this family are distributed mainly in tropical regions:

• In the
  Indomalaya: small to very tall evergreen trees up to 80 m (260 ft) 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: smaller trees such as Carissa, Wrightia, and Holarrhena
• In tropical America, India, Myanmar, and Malaya: evergreen trees and shrubs, such as Rauvolfia, Tabernaemontana, and Acokanthera.
• 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 lianas, such as Landolphia
• In the Mediterranean region:
  Nerium oleander), and Apple of Sodom (Calotropis procera), with other (Calotropis
  ) species extending into South Asia.
• The only genera found in temperate Europe away from the Mediterranean are Vinca (Rauvolfioideae) and Vincetoxicum (Asclepiadoideae). Also Asclepias syriaca is an invasive weed (e. g., in many areas of Ukraine).
• 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 2,000 m (6,600 ft) for the entire island: Pachypodium and Fockea.

Ecology

Several genera are preferred larval host plants for the Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus).^[14]

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 glycosides—Cerbera, Nerium, Asclepias, Cascabela, Strophanthus,^[6] Acokanthera,^[15] Apocynum,^[16] Thevetia,^[17] etc.—have therapeutic ranges, but are often associated with accidental poisonings, in many cases lethal (see below). Alkaloid-producing species like Rauvolfia serpentina, 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

Many genera are grown as ornamental plants, including Amsonia (bluestar),^[27] Nerium (oleander),^[28] Vinca (periwinkle),^[29] Carissa (Natal plum),^[30] Allamanda (golden trumpet),^[31] Plumeria (frangipani),^[32] Thevetia,^[33] Mandevilla (Savannah flower),^[34] and Adenium (desert-rose).^[35]

In addition, the genera