Skip to main content
Asclepiadaceae

Asclepiadaceae

9.9
A family of mostly tropical and subtropical plants that are often herbs or shrubs with milky sap
  • noun
  • /ˌæskləˈpɪəˌdeɪʃiː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : asclepiadáceas
  • Many plants belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family exude a characteristic milky sap when cut.

Examples

  • Recent classifications have moved most Asclepiadaceae species into the Apocynaceae family.

  • The family Asclepiadaceae includes many species with medicinal uses.

  • The Asclepiadaceae family includes many unique species.

  • Many plants from the Asclepiadaceae family thrive in tropical climates.

  • Many plants belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family exude a characteristic milky sap when cut.

  • Recent classifications have moved most Asclepiadaceae species into the Apocynaceae family.

  • The family Asclepiadaceae includes many species with medicinal uses.

Synonyms

milkweed family
vsAsclepiadaceae
  • Specialized
7.2

A group of flowering plants that make milky sap

is the scientific group now often merged into a larger botanical family

Surface Forms

Asclepiadaceae singular

Etymology

Asclepiadaceae comes from the plant name Asclepias, itself named for the Greek god Asclepius, 'healer'. The ending -aceae shows it is a plant 'family', so the name means the family of plants like Asclepias, many of which have milky sap and were used in medicine.