The dogbane/milkweed[2] family includes annual plants, perennial herbs, stem succulents, woody shrubs, trees, or vines.

[3] Flowers have radial symmetry (actinomorphic),[1] and are borne in heads that are cymes or racemes, or are solitary in axils.

[13] Species in this family are distributed mainly in tropical regions: Several genera are preferred larval host plants for the Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus).

[17] Many species of plants from the family Apocynaceae have some toxicity, with some being extremely poisonous if parts are ingested, or if they are not handled properly.

Genera containing cardiac glycosides—Cerbera, Nerium, Asclepias, Cascabela, Strophanthus,[6] Acokanthera,[18] Apocynum,[19] Thevetia,[20] etc.—have therapeutic ranges, but are often associated with accidental poisonings, in many cases lethal (see below).

Alkaloid-producing species like Rauvolfia serpentina, Catharanthus roseus, and Tabernanthe iboga are likewise the source of compounds with therapeutic ranges, but which have significant associated toxicities if not taken in appropriate doses and in controlled fashion.

Genera studied and known to contain such glycosides include Acokanthera, Apocynum, Cerbera, Nerium, Thevetia and Strophanthus.

Rauvolfia serpentina (Indian snakeroot) contains the alkaloid reserpine, which has been used as an antihypertensive and an antipsychotic drug but its adverse effects limit its clinical use.

[26] Ajmalicine, an alkaloid found in Rauvolfia spp., Catharanthus roseus, and Mitragyna speciosa,[27][28][29] is an antihypertensive drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

[27] Many genera are grown as ornamental plants, including Amsonia (bluestar),[30] Nerium (oleander),[31] Vinca (periwinkle),[32] Carissa (Natal plum),[33] Allamanda (golden trumpet),[34] Plumeria (frangipani),[35] Thevetia,[36] Mandevilla (Savannah flower),[37] and Adenium (desert-rose).