| Tabernaemontana ventricosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Tabernaemontana |
| Species: | T. ventricosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Tabernaemontana ventricosa | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Tabernaemontana ventricosa, commonly known as forest toad-tree or small-fruited toad-tree, [3] is a tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is native to Africa.
Tabernaemontana ventricosa grows as a smallish tree. It produces latex. The leathery leaves, clustered near branch ends, are oblong. The flowers are white. The fruit is oval-shaped. [3]
Tabernaemontana ventricosa was initially described by German botanist Christian Hochstetter in 1844, subsequently validly published by Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle. [2] The specific epithet ventricosa means 'ventricose' (swollen on one side). [3]
Tabernaemontana ventricosa is native to an area of Africa from Nigeria east to Kenya and south to Mozambique. [2] Its habitat is forests from sea level to 1,850 m (6,000 ft) altitude. [3]
Tabernaemontana ventricosa has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. The species is broadly distributed and not considered to be facing any major threats. [1]
Tabernaemontana ventricosa is locally used in the treatment of wounds, fever and hypertension. [4] The fruit is edible. The wood is locally used in planks. [1]
