English: Milkweeds.
French: Asclepiadacees.
Botany: 348 genera, 2900 species; tropics, subtropics, Africa, South America; ovaries distinct; stylar head; milky sap.
DD: Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Muriaticum,
Silver series.
TaxonomyIn the
Apg3 classification Asclepiadaceae is included in
Apocynaceae. This is done to keep
Apocynaceae monophyletic.
In the
Plant theory Asclepiadaceae is treated as a separate, monophyletic family.
Apocynaceae is split in Rauvolfieae and
Apocyneae, the two subfamilies of
Apocynaceae.
Asclepiadaceae is placed in
Subphase 7.
SubfamiliesStapeliae: florally advanced; stem succulent genera Huernia, Stapelia and Hoodia; complex mechanisms for pollination, like
Orchidaceae, grouping of their pollen into pollinia; flowers, fragrant like carrion, attracting flies.