Apocynaceae

The Apocynaceae are a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas, commonly called the dogbane family. Members of the family are native to European, Asian, African, Australian and American tropics or subtropics, with some temperate members.

Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforests, but some grow in tropical dry (xeric) environments. There are also perennial herbs from temperate zones. Many of these plants have milky sap, and many species are poisonous if ingested. Some genera of Apocynaceae, such as Adenium, have either clear and milky, latex sap, and others, such as Pachypodium, always have clear sap.