Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae Juss. (1789)
Cosmopolitan family with over 5,000 species including herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines. Characterized by milky latex present in most representatives and by flowers with fused petals forming a tube. Includes highly popular ornamental genera worldwide such as Adenium (desert rose) and Plumeria (frangipani), along with medicinal species and caudiciform plants of notable collector interest.
Angolluma
Angolluma
Genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae, segregated from Caralluma. Native to eastern and southern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Asia. Characterized by leafless angular succulent stems that photosynthesize directly. Their flowers have complex structures to attract pollinators through carrion-like odors.
Apteranthes
Apteranthes
Genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae (tribe Ceropegieae), distributed from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean to the Middle East and Central Asia. Characterized by angular leafless succulent stems and star-shaped colorful flowers with a frequent unpleasant odor to attract fly pollinators.
Baynesia
Baynesia
Monotypic genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae, endemic to Namibia. The single species, Baynesia lophophora, produces leafless cylindrical succulent stems and small flowers with a complex corona. Grows on quartzite rock outcrops under conditions of extreme aridity.
Boucerosia
Boucerosia
Historical genus of succulents in the family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, now largely considered synonymous with genera such as Caralluma, Orbea and Quaqua. The included species are spineless cactiform plants with fleshy 4–6-ribbed stems and fetid-smelling flowers to attract fly pollinators. Native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and India.
Brachystelma
Brachystelma
Genus of geophytes and small succulents in the family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, with about 100 species native mainly to southern and eastern Africa, with a few in India and Australia. They develop a subterranean tuber or caudex from which thin annual stems emerge bearing structurally complex flowers that are often fetid to attract insect pollinators. They are seasonal plants that disappear completely in the dry season.
Cameraria
Cameraria
A genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Apocynaceae, native to the Caribbean and Central America. Characterized by toxic milky latex. The best-known species is Cameraria latifolia, the poison dogwood or beach manchineel of the Caribbean.
Caralluma
Caralluma
Genus of succulent plants in the family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae). Distinguished by their angled, fleshy, branching stems and 5-lobed star-shaped flowers that typically emit a carrion odor to attract fly pollinators. Historically included over 100 species, many of which have since been reclassified into segregate genera such as Boucerosia, Desmidorchis and Tromotriche.
Caruncularia
Caruncularia