Apocynaceae: Wildflowers of the Dogbane Family. Pictures and help with wildflower Identification from Thomas J. Elpel, author of Botany in a Day. The easy way to identify flowers.

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Apocynaceae
Plants of the Dogbane Family

The herbs, shrubs and trees of the Dogbane family have opposite leaves (rarely alternate) and a milky, latex sap. Most are poisonous to some degree. The flowers are bisexual and regular, with 5 united sepals, 5 united petals forming a funnel and 5 stamens. Stamens attach at the base of the corolla and alternate with the petal lobes. The ovary is positioned wholly or mostly superior. It consists of 2 carpels, usually separate in North American genera, united only at the styles. Each carpel matures as a separate follicle, a pod-like dry fruit with a seam down one side. There are many seeds, often with a tuft of hair attached at one end. Some genera produce berries or capsules.

Worldwide, there are 200 genera and 2,000 species, including 11 genera in North America, mostly in Florida. This family is closely related to the Milkweed Family. Periwinkle (Vinca) is often used in landscaping. The oleander (Nerium oleander) is grown as an ornamental (and toxic) shrub in warmer parts of our country. Oleander contains cardiac glycosides. Children have died after roasting hot dogs on the sticks.

Key Words: Plants with opposite leaves and milky juice. Tubular flowers with parts in fives.

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Apocynum cannabinum. Dogbane. Common along low elevation rivers.	Apocynum cannabinum. Dogbane.
Apocynum androsaemifolium. Spreading Dogbane.	Apocynum androsaemifolium. Spreading Dogbane. Common in the mountains.
Nerium oleander. Oleander. An ornamental shrub planted in warmer climates. The vegetation is toxic. Photographed at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Nevada.	Botany in a Day