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Apocynaceae facts for kids

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Apocynaceae
Grote maagdenpalm 23-04-2005 10.19.28.JPG
Vinca major
Scientific classification
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Apocynaceae
Genera

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The Apocynaceae or dogbane family is a family of flowering plants in the order Gentianales, that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas. Are usually with milky sap comprising about 200 genera and 2,000 species.

Description

Alstonia scholaris by kadavoor
Alstonia scholaris, arrangement of leaves

Growth pattern

The dogbane family includes annual plants, perennial herbs, stem succulents, woody shrubs, trees, or vines. Most exude a milky sap with latex, if injured.

Leaves and stems

Leaves are (simple). Leaves may appear one at a time (singly) with each occurrence on alternating sides of the stem (alternate), but usually occur in pairs or in whorls. When paired, they occur on opposite sides of the stem (opposite), with each pair occurring at an angle rotated 90° to the pair below it (decussate).

There is no stipule (a small leaf-like structure at the base of the leaf stem), or stipules are small and sometimes fingerlike.

Inflorescence and fruit

Flowers are usually showy, have radial symmetry (actinomorphic), and are born in head that are cymes or racemes, but can rarely be fasciculate or solitary. They are perfect (bisexual), with a synsepalous, five-lobed calyx united into a tube at the base. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary. Five petals are united into a tube with four or five epipetalous stamens. The style is expanded at the apex into a massive clavuncle just below the stigma. The ovary is usually superior, bicarpellary, and apocarpous, with a common fused style and stigma.

The fruit is a drupe, a berry, a capsule, or a follicle.

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See also

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Apocynaceae Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.