Apocynaceae-subfamily Periplocoideae
Apocynaceae consists 17 genera and 85 species in tropical and warm areas.
Description of the family:
Herbs, shrubs or climbers with milky or clear latex. Leaves opposite. Stipules 0 (but stipule-like frills present in Mondia). Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, usually arranged in cymes. Calyx 5-lobed. Corolla 5-lobed. Corona present or 0. Stamens 5, attached mainly at or near base of the corolla tube; filaments free. Anthers connivent at apex above stigma, acute, acuminate or produced into appendages. Pollen granular, in tetrads. Ovary of 2 separate carpels. Styles 2, free up to the stigma. Stigma 1, a peltate disk. Fruit of 2 follicles. Seeds usually crowned with a tuft of silky hairs
Comment:
The subfamily Periplocoideae contains the genera which were formerly included in the family Periplocaceae. It is nowadays combined with other subfamilies, containing the former apocynaceae sensu stricto and asclepiadaceae, into one large family under the name apocynaceae. Periplocoideae is similar in most aspects to Asclepiadoideae, from which it mainly differs in its pollination mechanism. As, particularly the other subfamilies, can be clearly distinguished from each other, it is preferred to still deal with them in separate lists.
Worldwide:
17 genera and 85 species in tropical and warm areas.
Zimbabwe:
7 genera and 28 taxa.
- Chlorocyathus Oliv.
- Cryptolepis R. Br.
- Mondia Skeels
- Periploca L.
- Raphionacme Harv.
- Stomatostemma N.E. Br.
- Tacazzea Decne
