Apocynaceae

Latin scientific name: Apocynaceae

English name: DogbaneFamily

Brief introduction:

Trees, shrubs, or vines, sparse perennial herbs; with emulsions or aqueous fluids. Leaves opposite, whorled, sparsely alternate, entire, rare denticulate, pinnately pinnate; stipules absent or reduced into glands, rare pseudostipules. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic; solitary or in Cymes. Calyx basally connate, (4) 5-lobed, lobes often double imbricate arrangement, inner base often with glands; Corolla synpetal, lobes (4) 5, imbricate arrangement, basal margin to the left or right, sparse valvate arrangement, Corolla throat often with Corolla, scales or hairy appendages Stamens 5, born on Corolla tube or throat, included or protruding, filaments separated, anthers 2-loculed, separated or adhered to stigma, pollen granule; disk, sparse without disk; ovary superior, sparsely semi-inferior, 1-2-loculed, carpels free or connate, style 1, stigma 2-lobed, ovules 1 to numerous. Berry, drupe, capsule or pod. Seeds are often hairy at one end, sparse at both ends, or lacking only membranous wings or hairy wings; often endosperm, embryo extending.

There are more than 2000 species belonging to about 250 genera, distributed in the tropics and subtropics all over the world, and a few to temperate zones. 46 genera, 176 species and 33 varieties in China.

This species is one of the main families of tropical flora. Generally toxic, especially seeds and emulsions are toxic; contain many types of alkaloids or glycosides, as important drug raw materials, can treat hypertension, rheumatism, lymphoid tuberculosis, typhoid and other diseases, and have cardiotonic effects; can also make pesticides to kill insects. Some kinds contain latex, which can be extracted to make daily rubber products. Some kinds of fibers are tough and are important raw materials for textile, paper and national defense industries.