Apocynaceae

(uh-poss-sin-AY-see-ee)
– a family in the Gentianales order –

Here in the St. Louis Area, we have 18 not-too-obscure plants that are in the “Dogbane” family. They can be organized into 3 subfamilies:

2 are in the Apocynoideae (Dogbane) subfamily:

• Apocynum androsaemifolium  (Spreading Dogbane) [CC5]
• Apocynum cannabinum  (Indian Hemp) [CC3]

14 are in the Asclepiadoideae  (Milkweed) subfamily:

• Asclepias amplexicaulis  (Clasping Milkweed) [CC7]
• Asclepias hirtella  (Tall Green Milkweed) [CC4]
• Asclepias incarnata  (Swamp Milkweed) [CC4]
• Asclepias purpurascens  (Purple Milkweed) [CC6]
• Asclepias quadrifolia  (Fourleaf Milkweed) [CC6]
• Asclepias stenophylla  (Narrowleaf Milkweed) [CC9]
• Asclepias sullivantii  (Prairie Milkweed) [CC8]
• Asclepias syriaca  (Common Milkweed) [CC0]
• Asclepias tuberosa  (Butterfly Weed) [CC5]
• Asclepias verticillata  (Whorled Milkweed) [CC2]
• Asclepias viridiflora  (Green Comet Milkweed) [CC7]
• Asclepias viridis  (Green Antelopehorn Milkweed) [CC5]
• Cynanchum laeve  (Honeyvine Milkweed) [CC0]
• Matelea decipiens  (Climbing Milkweed) [CC5]

2 are in the Rauvolfioideae  (Devil Peppers) subfamily:

• Amsonia tabernaemontana  (Bluestar) [CC6]
• Vinca minor  (Periwinkle) [intro]

[CC] = Coefficient of Conservatism