More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
Optimized for viewing on desktop or laptop
Gentians, Dogbanes, and Madders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER GENTIANALES
Milkweed Vine
Apocynaceae (Family)
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Gentians, Dogbanes, Madders, and Allies (Order Gentianales)
-Dogbane Family (Family Apocynaceae)
-Milkweeds (Subfamily Asclepiadoideae)
-Tribe Asclepiadeae
Milkweed Vines are herbaceous to semi-woody vines in the milkweed family (Apocynaceae). Native to parts of Mesoamerica, including Mexico, this species typically grows in tropical dry forests, forest edges, and disturbed habitats, where it climbs over shrubs and low trees using its flexible stems.
Description
• Apocynaceae, commonly known as the dogbane family, is a large family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbing vines. Many members have opposite or whorled leaves and flowers with five petals fused into a tube or wheel-shaped corolla. Flowers may be white, pink, red, yellow, or purple, and some species produce paired seed pods containing seeds with silky hairs. Many members exude a milky latex when damaged, and some are toxic. The family includes familiar plants such as oleander, periwinkle, frangipani, and Allamanda.
Range
• Apocynaceae occurs worldwide, with its greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Members are native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area, where they include native wild plants as well as cultivated ornamentals.
Habitat
• Species in this family occupy a wide variety of habitats, including tropical dry forest, humid forest, scrubland, grassland, wetlands, and coastal environments. Some grow in exposed, drought-prone locations, while others prefer moist forest understories. Their habitat requirements vary considerably across the family.