Plant Family: 387 Genera in Apocynaceae

Apocynaceae: A Plant Family I Admire

I, Ferb Vu, am an admirer of the diverse plant kingdom, and among its myriad families, the Apocynaceae holds a special fascination for me. The Apocynaceae family is a remarkable group of flowering plants that captivates with its sheer diversity, fascinating characteristics, and economic and ecological significance. Let’s explore this captivating family, delve into its botanical wonders, and highlight its importance.

Botanical Wonders

The Apocynaceae family boasts a vast array of plant forms, ranging from graceful vines and shrubs to towering trees. The family’s defining characteristic is the presence of milky sap or latex, a substance known for its medicinal and industrial uses. The leaves are typically simple, arranged oppositely or in whorls, often with a glossy sheen. The flowers, which are typically showy and fragrant, display a wide range of colors and shapes. The family’s fruit diversity is equally remarkable, encompassing follicles, berries, capsules, and drupes.

Genera Galore

The Apocynaceae family encompasses 387 genera, a testament to its remarkable diversity.

1. Allamanda: Trumpet-shaped, vibrant flowers, often used as ornamentals. – 16 Species in Genus Allamanda
2. Asclepias: Milkweeds, known for their role in supporting monarch butterfly populations. – 209 Species in Genus Asclepias
3. Catharanthus: Madagascar periwinkle, the source of crucial anti-cancer compounds. – 9 Species in Genus Catharanthus
4. Hoya: Wax plants, prized for their thick, waxy leaves and fragrant flowers. – 566 Species in Genus Hoya
5. Mandevilla: Showy vines with large, trumpet-shaped flowers. – 182 Species in Genus Mandevilla
6. Nerium: Oleander, a beautiful but poisonous ornamental shrub. – Nerium Oleander in Genus Nerium
7. Plumeria: Frangipani, beloved for its fragrant flowers. – 19 Species in Genus Plumeria
8. Rauvolfia: Source of reserpine, a compound used to treat hypertension.
9. Strophanthus: Source of cardiac glycosides used to treat heart conditions. – 39 Species in Genus Strophanthus
10. Thevetia: Yellow oleander, a poisonous ornamental shrub.
11. Vinca: Periwinkles, groundcovers with delicate flowers. – 7 Species in Genus Vinca
12. Acokanthera G.Don
13. Adenium Roem. & Schult. – 6 Species in Genus Adenium
14. Aganosma (Blume) G.Don
15. Alafia Thouars
16. Allomarkgrafia Woodson
17. Allowoodsonia Markgr.
18. Alstonia R.Br.
19. Alyxia R.Br.
20. Amalocalyx Pierre
21. Ambelania Aubl.
22. Amphineurion (A.DC.) Pichon
23. Amsonia Walter – 17 Species in Genus Amsonia
24. Ancylobothrys Pierre
25. Anechites Griseb.
26. Anemotrochus Mangelsdorff, Meve & Liede
27. Angadenia Miers
28. Anisopus N.E.Br.
29. Anisotoma Fenzl
30. Anodendron A.DC.
31. Apocynum L.
32. Apteranthes J.C.Mikan
33. Araujia Brot.
34. Artia Guillaumin
35. Asketanthera Woodson
36. Aspidoglossum E.Mey.
37. Aspidonepsis Nicholas & Goyder
38. Aspidosperma Mart. & Zucc.
39. Astephanus R.Br.
40. Asterostemma Decne.
41. Atherandra Decne.
42. Atrostemma Morillo
43. Australluma Plowes
44. Austrochthamalia Morillo & Fontella
45. Baharuia D.J.Middleton
46. Bahiella J.F.Morales
47. Baissea A.DC.
48. Ballyanthus Bruyns
49. Barjonia Decne.
50. Baroniella Costantin & Gallaud
51. Baseonema Schltr. & Rendle
52. Batesanthus N.E.Br.
53. Baynesia Bruyns
54. Beaumontia Wall.
55. Blepharodon Decne.
56. Boucerosia Wight & Arn.
57. Bousigonia Pierre
58. Brargentina Morillo & H.A.Keller
59. Bruceholstia Morillo
60. Buckollia Venter & R.L.Verh.
61. Caa H.A.Keller & Liede
62. Calciphila Liede & Meve
63. Callichilia Stapf
64. Calocrater K.Schum.
65. Calotropis R.Br. – 3 Species in Genus Calotropis
66. Calyptranthera Klack.
67. Cameraria L.
68. Campestigma Pierre ex Costantin
69. Camptocarpus Decne.
70. Caralluma R.Br. – 31 Species in Genus Caralluma
71. Carissa L. – 12 Species in Genus Carissa
72. Carruthersia Seem.
73. Carvalhoa K.Schum.
74. Cascabela Raf.
75. Caudanthera Plowes
76. Cerbera L. – 6 Species in Genus Cerbera
77. Cerberiopsis Vieill. ex Pancher & Sebert
78. Ceropegia L. – 461 Species in Genus Ceropegia
79. Chamaeclitandra (Stapf) Pichon
80. Chilocarpus Blume
81. Chlorocyathus Oliv.
82. Chloropetalum Morillo
83. Chonemorpha G.Don
84. Chthamalia Decne.
85. Cibirhiza Bruyns
86. Cionura Griseb.
87. Cleghornia Wight
88. Clitandra Benth.
89. Condylocarpon Desf.
90. Conomitra Fenzl
91. Cordylogyne E.Mey.
92. Cosmostigma Wight
93. Couma Aubl.
94. Craspidospermum Bojer ex A.DC.
95. Crioceras Pierre
96. Cristobalia Morillo, S.A.Cáceres & H.A.Keller
97. Cryptolepis R.Br. – 34 Species in Genus Cryptolepis
98. Cryptostegia R.Br.
99. Cycladenia Benth.
100. Cyclocotyla Stapf
101. Cylindropsis Pierre
102. Cynanchum L.
103. Dalzielia Turrill
104. Decalepis Wight & Arn.
105. Decanema Decne.
106. Desmidorchis Ehrenb.
107. Dewevrella De Wild.
108. Dictyanthus Decne.
109. Dictyophleba Pierre
110. Diplolepis R.Br.
111. Diplorhynchus Welw. ex Ficalho & Hiern
112. Dischidanthus Tsiang
113. Dischidia R.Br. – 128 Species in Genus Dischidia
114. Ditassa R.Br.
115. Dolichopetalum Tsiang
116. Duvalia Haw.
117. Duvaliandra M.G.Gilbert
118. × Duvaliaranthus Bruyns
119. Dyera Hook.f.
120. Echidnopsis Hook.f.
121. Echites P.Browne
122. Ectadium E.Mey.
123. Ecua D.J.Middleton
124. Edithcolea N.E.Br.
125. Elytropus Müll.Arg.
126. Emicocarpus K.Schum. & Schltr.
127. Emplectanthus N.E.Br.
128. Ephippiocarpa Markgr.
129. Epigynum Wight
130. Epistemma D.V.Field & J.B.Hall
131. Eucorymbia Stapf
132. Eustegia R.Br.
133. Fanninia Harv.
134. Farquharia Stapf
135. Finlaysonia Wall.
136. Fischeria DC.
137. Fockea Endl.
138. Forsteronia G.Mey.
139. Funastrum E.Fourn.
140. Funtumia Stapf
141. Galactophora Woodson
142. Geissospermum Allemão
143. Genianthus Hook.f.
144. Glossostelma Schltr.
145. Gomphocarpus R.Br.
146. Gongreos Rodda, Liede & Meve
147. Gongronema (Endl.) Decne.
148. Gongronemopsis S.Reuss, Liede & Meve
149. Gonioma E.Mey.
150. Goniostemma Wight
151. Gonolobus Michx.
152. Graciemoriana Morillo
153. Gymnanthera R.Br.
154. Gymnema R.Br. – 52 Species in Genus Gymnema
155. Gymnemopsis Costantin
156. Gyrostelma E.Fourn.
157. Hancornia Gomes
158. Haplophyton A.DC.
159. Harmandiella Costantin
160. Hemidesmus R.Br.
161. Hemipogon Decne.
162. Heterostemma Wight & Arn.
163. Heynella Backer
164. Himatanthus Willd. ex Schult.
165. Holarrhena R.Br.
166. Hoodia Sweet ex Decne. – 13 Species in Genus Hoodia
167. × Hoodiapelia G.D.Rowley
168. × Hoodiorbea G.D.Rowley
169. × Hoodiotriche G.D.Rowley
170. Huernia R.Br. – 78 Species in Genus Huernia
171. Hunteria Roxb.
172. Hylaea J.F.Morales
173. Hypolobus E.Fourn.
174. Ibatia Decne.
175. Ichnocarpus R.Br.
176. Ischnolepis Jum. & H.Perrier
177. Isonema R.Br.
178. Ixodonerium Pit.
179. Jasminanthes Blume
180. Jobinia E.Fourn.
181. Kamettia Kostel.
182. Kanahia R.Br.
183. Kerbera E.Fourn.
184. Kibatalia G.Don
185. Kopsia Blume
186. Lachnostoma Kunth
187. Lacmellea H.Karst.
188. Landolphia P.Beauv.
189. Larryleachia Plowes
190. Laubertia A.DC.
191. Lavrania Plowes
192. Laxoplumeria Markgr.
193. Leichhardtia R.Br.
194. Lepinia Decne.
195. Lepiniopsis Valeton
196. Leptadenia R.Br.
197. Leuconotis Jack
198. Lygisma Hook.f.
199. Maclaudia Venter & R.L.Verh.
200. Macoubea Aubl.
201. Macropharynx Rusby
202. Macroscepis Kunth
203. Mahawoa Schltr.
204. Malouetia A.DC.
205. Manothrix Miers
206. Margaretta Oliv.
207. Marsdenia R.Br.
208. Mascarenhasia A.DC.
209. Matelea Aubl.
210. Melodinus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
211. Mesechites Müll.Arg.
212. Metastelma R.Br.
213. Meveampelos Morillo
214. Micrechites Miq.
215. Microloma R.Br.
216. Microplumeria Baill.
217. Microstelma Baill. ex Morillo
218. Minaria T.U.P.Konno & Rapini
219. Miraglossum Kupicha
220. Molongum Pichon
221. Mondia Skeels
222. Monolluma Plowes
223. Monsanima Liede & Meve
224. Morilloa Fontella, Goes & S.A.Cáceres
225. Mortoniella Woodson
226. Motandra A.DC.
227. Mucoa Zarucchi
228. Myriopteron Griff.
229. Nautonia Decne.
230. Neobracea Britton
231. Neocouma Pierre
232. Neoschumannia Schltr.
233. Nephradenia Decne.
234. Notechidnopsis Lavranos & Bleck
235. Ochrosia Juss.
236. Odontadenia Benth.
237. Odontostephana Alexander
238. Oncinema Arn.
239. Oncinotis Benth.
240. Ophionella Bruyns
241. Orbea Haw. – 60 Species in Genus Orbea
242. × Orbelia G.D.Rowley
243. Oreosparte Schltr.
244. Orinoquia Morillo
245. Orthopichonia H.Huber
246. Orthosia Decne.
247. Oxypetalum R.Br.
248. Oxystelma R.Br.
249. Pachycarpus E.Mey.
250. Pachypodium Lindl. – 23 Species in Genus Pachypodium
251. Pacouria Aubl.
252. Papuahoya Rodda & Simonsson
253. Papuechites Markgr.
254. Parahancornia Ducke
255. Parapodium E.Mey.
256. Parepigynum Tsiang & P.T.Li
257. Parsonsia R.Br.
258. Pattalias S.Watson
259. Pectinaria Haw.
260. Pentacyphus Schltr.
261. Pentalinon Voigt
262. Pentasacme Wall. ex Wight
263. Pentatropis R.Br. ex Wight & Arn.
264. Pentopetia Decne.
265. Peplonia Decne.
266. Pergularia L.
267. Periglossum Decne.
268. Periploca Tourn. ex L.
269. Peruviasclepias Morillo
270. Pervillaea Decne.
271. Petalostelma E.Fourn.
272. Petchia Livera
273. Phaeostemma E.Fourn.
274. Pherotrichis Decne.
275. Philibertia Kunth
276. Phyllanthera Blume
277. Piaranthus R.Br.
278. Picralima Pierre
279. Pinochia M.E.Endress & B.F.Hansen
280. Plectaneia Thouars
281. Pleiocarpa Benth.
282. Pleioceras Baill.
283. Polystemma Decne.
284. Pottsia Hook. & Arn.
285. Prestonia R.Br.
286. Pruskortizia Morillo
287. Pseudolachnostoma Morillo
288. Pseudolithos P.R.O.Bally
289. Pteralyxia K.Schum.
290. Ptycanthera Decne.
291. Pycnobotrya Benth.
292. Pycnorhachis Benth.
293. Quaqua N.E.Br.
294. Raphionacme Harv.
295. Rhabdadenia Müll.Arg.
296. Rhazya Decne.
297. Rhigospira Miers
298. Rhodocalyx Müll.Arg.
299. Rhyssolobium E.Mey.
300. Rhytidocaulon P.R.O.Bally
301. Rhytidostemma Morillo
302. Richtersveldia Meve & Liede
303. Riocreuxia Decne.
304. Riparoampelos Morillo
305. Rojasia Malme
306. Rotundanthus Morillo
307. Ruehssia H.Karst.
308. Saba (Pichon) Pichon – 3 Species in Genus Saba
309. Sacleuxia Baill.
310. Sarcolobus R.Br.
311. Sarcorrhiza Bullock
312. Schistonema Schltr.
313. Schizoglossum E.Mey.
314. Schizostephanus Hochst. ex Benth. & Hook.f.
315. Schizozygia Baill.
316. Schlechterella K.Schum.
317. Schubertia Mart.
318. Scyphostelma Baill.
319. Secamone R.Br.
320. Secamonopsis Jum.
321. Secondatia A.DC.
322. Sicyocarpus Bojer
323. Sindechites Oliv.
324. Sinomarsdenia P.T.Li & J.J.Chen
325. Sisyranthus E.Mey.
326. Skytanthus Meyen
327. Socotrella Bruyns & A.G.Mill.
328. Solenostemma Hayne
329. Spirolobium Baill.
330. Spongiosperma Zarucchi
331. × Staparesia G.D.Rowley
332. Stapelia L. – 32 Species in Genus Stapelia
333. Stapelianthus Choux ex A.C.White & B.Sloane
334. Stapeliopsis Pillans
335. × Stapvalia D.M.Cumming
336. Stathmostelma K.Schum.
337. Stelmagonum Baill.
338. Stenostelma Schltr.
339. Stephanostegia Baill.
340. Stephanostema K.Schum.
341. Stephanotis Thouars – 15 Species in Genus Stephanotis
342. Stigmatorhynchus Schltr.
343. Stipecoma Müll.Arg.
344. Stomatostemma N.E.Br.
345. Strempeliopsis Benth.
346. Streptocaulon Wight & Arn.
347. Streptoechites D.J.Middleton & Livsh.
348. Suberogerens Morillo
349. Tabernaemontana Plum. ex L. – 126 Species in Genus Tabernaemontana
350. Tabernanthe Baill.
351. Tacazzea Decne.
352. Talayotea L.O.Alvarado
353. Tassadia Decne.
354. Tavaresia Welw.
355. Telectadium Baill.
356. Telosma Coville ex N.E.Br.
357. Temnadenia Miers
358. Tetragonocarpus Hassk.
359. Thenardia Kunth
360. Thoreauea J.K.Williams
361. Thyrsanthella (Baill.) Pichon
362. Tintinnabularia Woodson
363. Topea H.A.Keller
364. Toxocarpus Wight & Arn.
365. Trachelospermum Lem.
366. Tressensia H.A.Keller
367. Treutlera Hook.f.
368. Trichosandra Decne.
369. × Tridentapelia G.D.Rowley
370. Tridentea Haw.
371. Tromotriche Haw.
372. Tweedia Hook. & Arn.
373. Tylodontia Griseb.
374. Urceola Roxb.
375. Vahadenia Stapf
376. Vailia Rusby
377. Vallaris Burm.f.
378. Vallesia Ruiz & Pav.
379. Vincetoxicum Wolf
380. Voacanga Thouars
381. Vulcanoa Morillo
382. White-sloanea Chiov.
383. Willughbeia Roxb.
384. Woodia Schltr.
385. Wrightia R.Br.
386. Xysmalobium R.Br.
387. Zygostelma Benth.

Economic and Ecological Importance

The Apocynaceae family plays a vital role in both economic and ecological spheres.

• Medicinal Marvels: Many Apocynaceae species contain a wealth of bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Vinca alkaloids, derived from Catharanthus roseus, have revolutionized cancer treatment. Rauvolfia serpentina, a source of reserpine, has been instrumental in managing hypertension. Cardiac glycosides extracted from Strophanthus species have been used to treat heart conditions for centuries.
• Ornamental Delights: Numerous Apocynaceae members grace gardens and landscapes with their beauty. Allamanda, Mandevilla, and Plumeria are renowned for their vibrant flowers, while Hoya captivates with its unique foliage.
• Ecological Champions: The Apocynaceae family supports a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds, drawn to its nectar-rich flowers. Asclepias species serve as critical host plants for monarch butterfly larvae. The family’s diverse fruit types provide sustenance for various animals, contributing to ecosystem health.
• Industrial Applications: The latex or milky sap found in many Apocynaceae members has various industrial applications. It is used in the production of rubber, chewing gum, adhesives, and even pharmaceuticals.

My Fascination

My admiration for the Apocynaceae family stems from its diverse botanical wonders, encompassing various plant forms, fascinating flowers, and intriguing fruits. The family’s economic and ecological significance further strengthens my appreciation. From life-saving medicines to vibrant ornamentals, the Apocynaceae family offers a treasure trove of benefits. Moreover, its role in supporting pollinators and other wildlife underscores its vital ecological importance.

As I continue to explore the botanical world, the Apocynaceae family remains a source of endless fascination and inspiration. Its diversity, beauty, and significance serve as a constant reminder of the wonders of the plant kingdom and the intricate connections that sustain life on Earth. Whether I encounter a delicate periwinkle or a majestic plumeria, I am always filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the Apocynaceae family and the botanical riches it bestows upon us.