B. Sc. II Botany, Paper- VII, based on the syllabus prescribed by Dr. Babasaheb Marathwada University

1. Taxonomy of Angiosperms
Family Apocynaceae
Dr. A. S. Naik

2. Thevetia Nerium Alstonia
Vinca Tabernaemontana

3. Distribution
• Many are tall trees found in tropical rainforests.
• some grow in tropical dry (xeric) environments.
• Perennial herbs from temperate zones occur.
• Members of the family are native to
European, Asian, African, Australian
and American tropics or subtropis, with some
temperate members.

4. Classification: Vinca rosea
• Kingdom-Plantae
• Division-Angiosperms
• Class- Dicotyledons
• Sub class- Gamopetalae
• Series-Bicarpellatae
• Order –Gentianales
• Family - Apocynaceae

5. Botanical Description
• Evergreen shrubs or herbaceous
plant growing 1 m tall
• Plants with milky latex.
• Leaves simple, exstipulate, oval
to oblong, glossy green, hairless,
with short petiole, arranged in
opposite pairs.
• Inflorescence: Solitary,(Vinca)
• Roots: Branched, tap roots.
• Stem: Erect, branched, solid,
glabrous, rarely tuber-like and
thick.

6. Botanical description
contd. • Flowers white to dark pink with a
darker red centre,Bracteate,
bisexual, complete,actinomorphic,
pentamerous.
• Calyx- 5, gamosepalous, valvate
• Corolla-5, united in tube, funnel
shaped, twisted.
• Androecium-5 stamens, epipetalous,
short filaments, Deep inside coroll
Basifixed,
• Gynoecium:Bicarpellary, superior, 2
to many ovules/chamber, marginal
placentation,stigma thick, bilobed,
style-simple, one.

8. Economic Importance
• Raulvolfia serpentina(Indian snakeroot)
has alkaloids reserpine and rescinnamine, used in
the treatment of high blood pressure.
• Carissa (Natal plum) produces an edible fruit.
• Catharanthus roseus yields alkaloid
substances vinblastine and vincristine used in the
treatment of blood cancer.
• Ornamental plants :
including Nerium (oleander), Vinca (periwinkle),
Carissa (Natal plum), Thevetia (lucky
nut), Tabermontaena.