๐ทThey are also called 'Milkweeds' as many of these plants have milky latex, and many species are poisonous if ingested. The family being rich in genera containing alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, with the latter often finding use as arrow poisons. Some genera have a milky latex (example Adenium sp.), while others have a clear sap (example Pachypodium sp.).
๐ทPlants from this family are usually woody perennials, but may rarely also be annuals.
๐ทLeaves are simple. They may appear one at a time (singly) with each occurrence on alternating sides of the stem (alternate), but usually occur in pairs or in whorls. When paired, they occur on opposite sides of the stem (opposite), with each pair occurring at an angle 90° to the pair below it (decussate). Leaves usually lack stipules (a small leaf-like structure at the base of the leaf stem), or stipules are small and sometimes fingerlike.
๐ทFlowers are bisexual (having both male and female parts on the same flower), have radial symmetry (actinomorphic),and are borne in heads that are cymes or racemes, or are solitary in axils. Sepals are usually fused together(synsepalous) to form a tube below the petals. Stamens usually stick inside the petal tube.
๐ทThe fruit is a drupe, a berry, a capsule, or a follicle. The seeds are often winged or have appendages of long silky hairs.
๐ทMany genera are grown as ornamental plants for their flowers (Plumeria, Allamanda, Periwinkle). Some are used in medicine for extraction of cardiac glycosides. Few are used for tapping latex used in production of inferior quality rubber. There are limited dietary uses from plants of this family (example Natal plum (Carissa) produces an edible fruit)
Sharing here flower pictures of some members of this family.
Plants from the Apocynaceae family could make for a lovely flower garden.
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