Fauna
Flower

Mandevilla splendens

Mandevilla splendens

Also known as Shining Mandevilla, Pink Allamanda

Shining mandevilla is a woody evergreen climber native to the humid coastal mountain forests of southeastern Brazil. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide a rich backdrop for trumpet-shaped pink blossoms that shift to deeper rose shades as they mature. The stems exude a milky white latex when nicked, a defensive sap characteristic of the dogbane family that deters generalist herbivores.

ClimberFloweringTropical
Mandevilla splendens reference
Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotoautotroph (sunlight, water, atmospheric carbon dioxide, soil minerals)
Predators
  • Spider Mites
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
ThreatsHabitat loss from coastal development and deforestation in the Atlantic Forest biome
HabitatsTropical rainforest edges, coastal mountain slopes, and disturbed forest margins
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderGentianales
  2. FamilyApocynaceae
  3. GenusMandevilla
  4. SpeciesMandevilla splendens
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Sap causes mild skin irritation and is mildly toxic to pets if chewed; wear gloves when handling.
Why it is dangerous
Milky latex contains diterpenoid compounds and resols that trigger contact dermatitis and cause digestive irritation if swallowed by pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for glossy elliptic leaves and trumpet-shaped pink flowers on twining woody stems that leak milky sap when broken.
What to do
Wash hands with soap and warm water after pruning; keep cuttings away from domestic pets.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning Care: Wear gardening gloves to avoid direct skin contact with the irritating white latex.
  • Trellis Support: Provide sturdy wires or vertical lattice to help twining stems climb naturally.
  • Pet Safety: Position climbing foliage well out of reach of curious dogs and cats.
Related species
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