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Apocynum cannabinum Linnaeus. Common name: Hemp Dogbane, Indian-hemp. Phenology: May-Jul; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Forests, woodlands, roadsides, pastures. Distribution: QC, MB, and WA south to FL, TX, CA, and c. Mexico.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = Ar, C, Fl5, Il, Mex, NE, NY, Ok, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W, WH3; = Apocynum cannabinum L. var. cannabinum – Mi; < Apocynum cannabinum L. – FNA14, GrPl, K1, K3, K4, Mo2, NcTx, Pa; > Apocynum cannabinum L. var. cannabinum – F, G, Tat, Tx; > Apocynum cannabinum L. var. glaberrimum A.DC. – G, Tat, Tx, Woodson (1930); > Apocynum cannabinum L. var. greeneanum (Bég. & Belosersky) Woodson – Woodson (1930); > Apocynum cannabinum L. var. nemorale (G.S.Mill.) Fernald – F; > Apocynum cannabinum L. var. pubescens (Mitch.) Woodson – F, G, Tat, Tx, Woodson (1930)

Links to other floras: < Apocynum cannabinum - FNA14

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Great Plains: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Midwest: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily : 8

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image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect or ascending perennial that branches as it ages; found widely in forests, woodlands, roadsides and pastures/disturbed areas.

Stems: Stems smooth, sometimes hairy, reddish-green; leaking milky sap when broken.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, ovate to lance-shaped, to 5 in. long by 2 in. wide, smooth-green with a notably pale mid-vein and whitish coating; leaking milky sap when torn.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in loose clusters at tips of branches and in leaf axils, white to greenish-white, less than ¼ in. long, tubular-bell-shaped with 5 erect to spreading lobes with recurved, pointy tips.

Fruits: Fruit paired drooping, slender, linear, slightly curved follicles containing silky-tufted seeds.

Comments: North American native peoples used fiber from the stem of this plant for sewing, twine, nets and bowstrings; the milky sap of stem and leaves is toxic.

Height: 1-4.5 ft.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect or ascending perennial that branches as it ages; found widely in forests, woodlands, roadsides and pastures/disturbed areas.

stems: Stems smooth, sometimes hairy, reddish-green; leaking milky sap when broken.

leaves: Leaves opposite, ovate to lance-shaped, to 5 in. long by 2 in. wide, smooth-green with a notably pale mid-vein and whitish coating; leaking milky sap when torn.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in loose clusters at tips of branches and in leaf axils, white to greenish-white, less than ¼ in. long, tubular-bell-shaped with 5 erect to spreading lobes with recurved, pointy tips.

fruits: Fruit paired drooping, slender, linear, slightly curved follicles containing silky-tufted seeds.

comments: North American native peoples used fiber from the stem of this plant for sewing, twine, nets and bowstrings; the milky sap of stem and leaves is toxic.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: North America