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
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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Horticultural Information
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