Worldwide there are about 200 genera and 2,000 species; most abundant in the tropics and subtropics. Among them, Oleander and Periwinkle are popular ornamentals; other species produce valuable fruits; many are poisonous.

Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Wild Periwinkle (Vinca minor) Wild Periwinkle is rapidly becoming a favorite in the butterfly garden. It's medi- cinal uses are well known.

Vinca minor was the first of this family from which extracts were taken to develop the drug vinchristine, which is the poison injected into the system through chemotherapy to fight the reproduction of cancer cells.

Madagascar Periwinkle is extremely large in comparison to the domestic variety found in most flower gardens. Since it's the forerunner to the domestic, crosspollinating was no problem and the white variety was soon to follow. Both the pink and white are well known throughout Florida and the Escambia region, but they are generally seen as an escapee from the domestic landscape.

These introduced plants frequently form extensive patches in woods and on roadsides; or tenaciously grab a toe-hold in sidewalk crevices. In olden times they were referred to as "Old Maids," which name later gave way to a variety of zinnia.

Pink Flowered Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Red Flowered Oleander (N. rubra)

The pink, red and white oleander are widely planted as ornamentals on roadsides and in a garden landscape. While the plant is considered to be a naturalized wilderness shrub, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia consider it a domestic. As an aside it is interesting that all color variations are plentiful and beautiful on the lower Mississippi River from New Orleans to Pass-A-Loutre. The plant is not controlled on the river as they provide incalculable benefits as a breakwater during high seas and hurricanes. The city of Galveston, Texas uses the shrub as a colorful planting along major streets and boulevard medians. Consider, if you will, this shrub is poisonous but it is unknown that anyone has ever died as a result of having picked or handled the blossoms. The White-flowered Oleander will be treated in another section as a seasonal flower.

Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)

Indian Hemp (A. androsaemifolium)

Indian Hemp is often referred to as Intermediate Dogbane and is believed to be a hybrid from Spreading Dogbane, but its flowers lack the recurved petals usually associated with that plant. This hemp played an important role in history as its fibers are used for making hemp rope, twine and for weaving burlap, grain sacks, clothing and the backing on carpet. Weaving hemp is practiced today by Native Americans and has advanced to an art form. As a member of the Dogbane family it goes without mention that saps from the plant are extremely poisonous. Indians know that and much caution is taken to thoroughly process the plant before rendering the fibers for use.

Although this perennial plant is considered extremely toxic it has been used as an emetic, cathartic, and diuretic; under strict supervision, of course.

A. androsaemifolium, also known as Climbing Dogbane, is similar to Indian Hemp, but its leaves have a tendency to extend outward or droop slightly away from the plant. Its flowers may be greenish-white to pale pink. A cannabinum has brownish stems with sessile or stalked leaves. Androsaemifolium has a greenish stem and is useful in the making of hemp as well. It's fibers are usually reserved for heavy-duty hawser lines as it weaves to longer strands and has a heavier temper and tension strength.

In the Escambia region Blue Star is found in large spreading colonies at the margin of dry or rich woods and occasionally on stream banks and in flood zones. The plant found in higher elevations, A. ciliata, differs slightly from the coastal plant in that it has a bristle-like hair on the stem. The plant is widespread from Virginia to Georgia and Florida and westward to Louisiana and Kansas. Scientifically the plant is described as being an upright, smooth perennial with milky sap and a woody rootstock. The leaves have no leaf-stalk but do not clasp the stem (sessile). The flowers are in clusters at the tip of a stem, tube-shaped, five lobes and light blue in color. Blue Star is also known as Willow Amsonia.

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

There is an argument by folks of the north that these southern plants look like the dogbanes; their stems are filled with the same kind of milky sap, but the form and color of the flower is wrong.  It is accepted that there are no blue flowers in the Dogbane family. However, good authorities at the great universities throughout the south are convinced the plant is rightly placed. It is interesting to note that no alternative family association is given by those folks in Pleasantville, New York.