APOCYNACEAE – Odontadenia – Odontadenia macrantha

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.

Odontadenia

Odontadenia includes approximately 30 species of shrubs and woody climbers from tropical America. They are uncommon in cultivat

ion in the United States. Crushed leaves are reportedly used as an insect repellant in South America.

Synonym: O. grandiflora, O. speciosa. Costa Rica to Peru. Brazil. Evergreen woody climber to 20 ft. +, zones 10-11. Blooms all summer. Moderate moisture. Average to fertile, well – drained soil. Full sun. Flowers: funnel – shaped, 3-4 in. wide, scented, lemon – yellow, throat with orange, starlike streaks and a small corona. Leaves: oblong to ovate, 7-10 in. long, dark green,, leathery. A fragrant, vigorous climber. Grow over a sturdy arbor to shade a porch or picnic table.