The key difference between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae is that Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that comprise of 400 genera and 4550 species while Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of Apocynaceae.
Apocynaceae is a large family of angiosperms. They are dicotyledon plants. Most of the plants belonging to this family are herbs or shrubs with latex. Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of family Apocynaceae. Both families have bisexual, actinomorphic flowers. Most of the members are poisonous. However, some are cultivated as ornamental plants due to their nice flowers and colourful foliage.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Apocynaceae
3. What is Asclepiadaceae
4. Similarities Between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae
5. Side by Side Comparison – Apocynaceae vs Asclepiadaceae in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Apocynaceae?
Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants. It is commonly known as dogbane family since many of the plants are used as dog poison. Apocynaceae plants can be herbs, shrubs, twines or trees. Many of these plants have milky latex. Most importantly, many of these plants are poisonous due to their production of cardiac glycosides and various alkaloids. Apocynaceae plants are abundant in tropical and subtropical areas. There are about 400 genera and about 4500 species in this family.
Figure 01: Apocynaceae
Flowers of Apocynaceae plants are found in clusters. They are actinomorphic flowers with five petals and five sepals. Inflorescences are mainly cymose type. Sometimes they are corymbose or umbellate. Flowers have five stamens and two carpels. Fruits can be capsule, berry, fleshy or follicle.
What is Asclepiadaceae?
Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of family Apocynaceae. It is commonly known as the milkweed family. The name Asclepiadaceae has been given to this subfamily due to the dominant genus Asclepias. There are more than 214 genera and about 2,400 species. Many plants are herbs or shrubby climbers. Most members of this subfamily have milky latex.
Figure 02: Asclepiadaceae
Flowers of Asclepiadaceae plants have five petals, five sepals and five stamens. They are inflorescences. Plant leaves are simple and oppositely arranged. Fruits are aggregate fruits.
What are the Similarities Between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae?
- Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of family Apocynaceae.
- They are flowering plants which are mostly herbs, shrubs or climbers.
- They belong to the order Gentianales.
- These plants are found mainly in tropics and subtropics.
- Most of the members of both families have milky latex.
- They produce actinomorphic flowers with five petals, five sepals and five stamens.
- Flowers are bisexual.
- Some of these plants are cultivated as ornamental plants due to their colourful flowers and foliage.
What is the Difference Between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae?
Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants which is commonly known as dogbane family. On the other hand, Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of Apocynaceae. So, this is the key difference between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae. Asclepiadaceae is also known as the milkweed family. Besides, Apocynaceae family comprises of 400 genera and 4500 species while Asclepiadaceae subfamily comprises of 250 genera and 2000 species.
Moreover, Apocynaceae plants can be herbs, shrubs, climbers and trees while Asclepiadaceae plants are mostly herbs and shrubs. Thus, this is another difference between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae.
Summary – Apocynaceae vs Asclepiadaceae
Apocynaceae family is known as dogbane family while Asclepiadaceae is a subfamily of Apocynaceae, which is known as the milkweed family. So, this is the key difference between Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae. Both families are closely related, and they have milky latex. Most of the plants are poisonous. Their flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic.
Reference:
1. “Asclepiadaceae: Characters, Distribution And Types”. Biology Discussion, 2020, Available here.
2. “Apocynaceae | Description, Major Genera And Species, & Facts”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) 02” By Filo gèn’ – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “P1000400 Asclepias incarnata (Asclepiadaceae) Flower” By Magnus Manske – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia