Apocynaceae

Angolluma

Angolluma

Genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae, segregated from Caralluma. Native to eastern and southern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Asia. Characterized by leafless angular succulent stems that photosynthesize directly. Their flowers have complex structures to attract pollinators through carrion-like odors.

Apteranthes

Apteranthes

Genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae (tribe Ceropegieae), distributed from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean to the Middle East and Central Asia. Characterized by angular leafless succulent stems and star-shaped colorful flowers with a frequent unpleasant odor to attract fly pollinators.

Baynesia

Baynesia

Monotypic genus of stapeliad succulents in the family Apocynaceae, endemic to Namibia. The single species, Baynesia lophophora, produces leafless cylindrical succulent stems and small flowers with a complex corona. Grows on quartzite rock outcrops under conditions of extreme aridity.

Boucerosia

Boucerosia

Historical genus of succulents in the family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, now largely considered synonymous with genera such as Caralluma, Orbea and Quaqua. The included species are spineless cactiform plants with fleshy 4–6-ribbed stems and fetid-smelling flowers to attract fly pollinators. Native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and India.

Brachystelma

Brachystelma

Genus of geophytes and small succulents in the family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, with about 100 species native mainly to southern and eastern Africa, with a few in India and Australia. They develop a subterranean tuber or caudex from which thin annual stems emerge bearing structurally complex flowers that are often fetid to attract insect pollinators. They are seasonal plants that disappear completely in the dry season.

Cameraria

Cameraria

A genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Apocynaceae, native to the Caribbean and Central America. Characterized by toxic milky latex. The best-known species is Cameraria latifolia, the poison dogwood or beach manchineel of the Caribbean.

Caralluma

Caralluma

Genus of succulent plants in the family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae). Distinguished by their angled, fleshy, branching stems and 5-lobed star-shaped flowers that typically emit a carrion odor to attract fly pollinators. Historically included over 100 species, many of which have since been reclassified into segregate genera such as Boucerosia, Desmidorchis and Tromotriche.

Caruncularia

Caruncularia

Centrostemma

Centrostemma

Genus of tropical vines in the family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae) native to Southeast Asia and Malesia. Hemi-epiphytic or terrestrial plants with fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers grouped in axillary umbels. Treated by some authors as a synonym of Hoya, although recent work supports its generic distinction. Flowers bear a characteristic five-lobed central corona.

Ceramanthus

Ceramanthus

Genus of succulent geophytes in the Apocynaceae family distributed across southern South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay). They possess thickened tuberous roots and slender twining stems. Some authorities treat it as a synonym of or closely allied to Cynanchum.

Ceropegia

Ceropegia

Genus of succulent climbing or geophytic plants in the Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoideae). Known for their lantern- or pipe-shaped flowers that temporarily trap insect pollinators via an oil-slick slide trap mechanism. Distributed across Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India and SE Asia.

Chymocormus

Chymocormus

Monotypic genus of the Apocynaceae family, considered by most authors as a synonym of Fockea. Its only species, C. edulis, is a highly succulent caudiciform plant native to South Africa and Namibia, with a large underground or partially exposed tuber.

Cibirhiza

Cibirhiza

Small genus of the Apocynaceae family, related to Brachystelma and Ceropegia. Species are succulent geophytes with thickened tubers. Distributed in Arabia and East Africa.

Duvalia

Duvalia

Duvalia is a genus of succulents in the family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae), closely related to Stapelia and Orbea. It comprises 15–20 species of low-growing, angular, leafless fleshy-stemmed plants native to southern Africa — primarily South Africa and Namibia, with some species extending to Somalia. Their small, star-shaped flowers are often foul-smelling, mimicking carrion to attract fly pollinators. The elaborate annular central corona is the genus's hallmark, particularly striking in D. elegans. In cultivation they are prized by stapeliad enthusiasts for their exotic flowers and easy care.

Duvaliandra

Duvaliandra

Duvaliandra is a monotypic genus of succulents in the family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, represented by a single species: Duvaliandra dioscoridis. The genus was established by M.G.Gilbert to accommodate this unusual stapeliad endemic to Socotra Island (Yemen), whose floral and vegetative morphology clearly separates it from related genera. The fleshy, compact, angular stems are typical of stapeliads, but the floral structure shows unique adaptations to the xerophytic insular environment of Socotra.

Echidnopsis

Echidnopsis

Echidnopsis is a genus of stem-succulent plants in subfamily Asclepiadoideae (family Apocynaceae), formerly placed in Asclepiadaceae. Plants are creeping or prostrate, leafless, with cylindrical to slightly angled stems densely covered in small spirally or longitudinally arranged tubercles. Flowers are small, star-shaped or tubular, typically in dark shades — brown, purple, burgundy or yellow — often with spotted or striped patterns. The genus was described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1871 and currently contains approximately 25–30 species. Commonly called "hedgehog stapeliads" for their cactus-like appearance and characteristic stapeliad flower structure. In cultivation they require bright light, sharply draining substrate, and infrequent watering; they are sensitive to root rot.

Edithcolea

Edithcolea

Monotypic or ditypic genus of stapelioid succulents in the Apocynaceae family, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, tribe Stapelieae, belonging to the informal "huernioid" group. Described by N. E. Brown in 1895 in honor of Edith Cole, an English naturalist and collector who gathered specimens in Somalia in the late 19th century. Plants are succulent stem succulents with pentagonal to hexagonal angled stems bearing toothed tubercles along the angles, without true leaves. Distributed across the arid deserts and thorn scrublands of the Horn of Africa (Somalia, northern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia, southern Yemen and southern Arabia) at elevations of 0 to 1,500 m. The genus is best known for Edithcolea grandis, one of the largest and most spectacular flowers in the entire Apocynaceae family, with corollas up to 15 cm in diameter densely mottled red-brown on a yellow-cream background.

Frerea

Frerea

Monotypic genus of the family Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoideae); shrubby succulent endemic to the Western Ghats of India; single species: F. indica.

Gonostemon

Gonostemon

Genus of succulents in the family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae), created by P.V.Heath to group stapeliad species related to Caralluma and related genera. Succulent plants with angled stems and intricate flowers.

Hemprichia

Hemprichia

Monotypic or very small genus of succulents in family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae, native to East Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Red Sea coast). Plants with xerophytic characteristics adapted to the arid coastal and montane habitats of the region.