Apocynum cannabinum / common dogbane

Adjectives: clonal, disturbed, forest openings, fragrant, hyperaccumulator, interesting bits, native, poisonous, toxic, weed, wet meadows, white latex

Also known as: dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, rheumatism root, wild cotton
See also: Apocynum adnrosaemifolium / spreading dogbane

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This herbaceous perennial, up to five feet tall, grows in late spring as an erect central stem with opposite leaves. Once established, it branches abundantly. The stems are light green to red and the leaves up to three inches long and perhaps one-third as much across. They are either sessile or have short petioles. The surfaces are light green, and the lower one may be hairy. The main veins are particularly prominent on the upper surface. Like other members of the family, the stems and leaves exude a milky latex when broken.

The flowers of common dogbane are at the ends of the upper- and some lateral stems. They occur as clusters, up to three inches across. Technically, the clusters are panicles, and are flat-headed to dome-shaped. The individual flowers are teeny, but fragrant. They are white – without colored stripes on the inside – and held erect. They are like narrow bells.

Common dogbane is pollinated by a couple species of hummingbird moths which also, interestingly, eat the leaves when in their caterpillar stage. Cross-pollinated flowers develop pairs of follicles (seedpods that open along one side), four to eight inches long and brown. The seeds inside have tufts of terminal hairs enabling easy wind dispersal.

In addition to propagation by seed, common dogbane spreads by rhizomes capable of producing extensive colonies.

As suggested by the name “dogbane”, all parts of the plant are poisonous, leading to cardiac arrest if ingested.

Apocynum cannabinum grows in open wooded areas, ditches, and hillsides, especially liking sandy and gravelly soils near streams or in moist shady places.

Interesting bits – The specific epithet cannabinum and the common names hemp dogbane and Indian hemp refer to its similarity to cannabis as a fiber plant and not to anything related to being a psychoactive drug. So don’t eat it OR smoke it. Also, like spreading dogbane, common dogbane is a hyperaccumulator of lead, touted as a possible remediator of contaminated soils.

Unlike the spreading dogbane, common dogbane has a number of uses, e.g. as a source of fiber (hence its “hemp dogbane” and “Indian hemp” names). The fibers were used by various Native American tribes to make bows, nets, tie down straps, hunting nets, fishing lines, and clothing (Wikipedia). The seeds can be used as meal (but not a meal) if ground to a powder, and the latex can be dried overnight and used for chewing gum. As always, remember to ask your mother before sticking anything in your mouth.

Because of its clonal nature, common dogbane can be a problem in gardens. In agricultural fields, it can significantly reduce yields by competition for nutrients and water.

Finally, the shape and color of the flowers are the key to distinguishing it from its close relative, spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium). First of all, they are held upright rather than drooping. Second, the flower petals of are white, or green-ish or yellow-ish, rather than pink with stripes, and they don’t curve backward. Common dogbane is also generally found in moist conditions, while spreading dogbane is less associated with that environment.