Apocynoideae (Burnett, 1835) Primarily woody plants, ranging from trees and shrubs to trailing forms. They possess a white latex that exudes when tissues are injured; this latex can be toxic, though in some cases it has medicinal properties. The leaves are simple, with clearly defined veins. The flowering is highly diverse, and in some cases, it reaches considerable size and remarkable showiness. Etymology: Subfamily of plants related to Apocynum.Place of Origin: Tropical and subtropical Africa, as well as tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Madagascar, and the Americas.
Asclepiadoideae (Burnett 1835) Not all plants in this subfamily are succulents. It is characterized by complex flowers with coronas and a specialized pollination system using pollinia, similar to that of orchids. It exhibits great morphological diversity and, in many genera, a marked adaptation to arid climates through water storage, primarily in stems or roots. Several species demonstrate ease of propagation from plant fragments, particularly those with succulent growth. Etymology: From the Asclepias subfamily.Place of Origin: Virtually all tropical and subtropical regions of the world.