Apocynaceae subfamilies Apocynoideae and Rauvolfioideae - Oleander family

Trees, shrubs, lianes or (rarely) herbs, usually with milky latex. Stipules usually 0. Leaves opposite or whorled, less often alternate or spiral, simple, entire. Flowers bisexual, usually actinomorphic, (4-)5-merous. Corolla tubular, sometimes with a corona. Ovary superior or sometimes partly inferior, 1- or 2-locular or composed of 2 7 ± free carpels. Fruit a berry, drupe or follicle, entire or composed of 2 ± free carpels. Seeds in dry fruits often winged or with a tuft of hairs.

Comment: The 2 subfamilies Apocynoideae and Rauvolfioideae contain the genera which were formerly included in the family APOCYNACEAE sensu stricto. These are nowadays combined with other subfamilies, containing the former ASCLEPIADACEAE sensu stricto and PERIPLOCACEAE, into one large family under the name APOCYNACEAE. However, as the genera in these 2 subfamilies can be clearly distinguished, it is preferred to still deal with them in this separate list.

Worldwide: 163 genera and 1,850 species, mostly tropical.

Mozambique: 27 genera and 52 taxa.