Somatic Hybridization in the Family Apocynaceae (Catharanthus, Rauwolfia, Rhazya, and Vinca Species)

The Apocynaceae family includes about 2000 species belonging to approximately 200 genera (Takhtadjan 1981). The majority of species originate in the tropics, only a few of them are common to Europe (Vinca minor, V. herhaceae, V. major, genus Trachomitum).