APOCYNACEAE – Beaumontia- beaumontia grandiflora

APOCYNACEAE

Oleander family

Apocynaceae includes approxi-mately 355 genera of herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers distributed wordwide, with greatest diversity  in the tropics. Characteristics in-clude a milky latex sap and complex flowers. Recent cevisions include the genera traditionally segregated in to Asclepiadaceae in this family. For the convenience of readers more familiar with this arrange – ment, these species are kept to -gether here as a subgroup of A poc – ynaceae. The family is very important pharmaceutically. Many, though not all, species are. Poison – ous. An exception is Carissa. Most are suitable for coastal. Planting and are at least modestly salt toler-ant. Leaves are simple entire opposite or whorled. Traditional members of Apocynaceae can be recognized by the radially symmet – tical, trumpet-shaped corollar. Commonly with lobes twisted like a propeller. The fruit is a capsule, shizocarp, nutlet, berry or drupe, commonly in pairs.

Beaumontia

Beaumontia includes approximately 9 species of woody climbers (lianas) from India and Southeast Asia. Thay are spectacular tropical vines with funnel – shaped flowers resembling large Easter lilies and arranged in great clusters dripping from stout stems. Leaves are simple. Flowering vines like these are underutilized in landscaping. Simple or elaborate arbors can be devised to create a peaceful sanctuary or to shade a table or west – facing porch in the Mediterranean style. Vines are particularly useful for landscaping where space is limited

Beaumontia grandiflora

Herald’s trumpet

Nepal trumpet – flower,

Easter lily vine

Synonym: Echites grandiflorus. Himalayan foothills from India to Vietnam. Evergreen woody climber to 30 ft. +, zones 10-11. Blooms late winter, early spring. Seasonally moist/dry. Average to fertile, well – drained soil. Full sun. Flowers: corolla white, funnel – shaped, lobes flaring, 7-8 in.long, fragrant, calyz covered with rust – colored hairs. Leaves: oblong to ovate, 4-10 in.long, glossy dark green, rust – colored hairs on the underside when young, A spectacular and vigorous vine, Beaumontia multiflora is often mistaken for this species. It has much shorter, bell – shaped white flowers.