Apocynum cannabinum

Apocynum cannabinum
Apocynum cannabinum in flower
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Apocynum
Species:	A. cannabinum
Binomial name
Apocynum cannabinum L.
Natural range in North America
Synonyms
List Apocynum album Greene Apocynum angustifolium Wooton nom. illeg. Apocynum arenarium Greene Apocynum bebbianum Greene Apocynum bolanderi Greene Apocynum breweri Greene Apocynum canadense Shecut Apocynum carolinii Nieuwl. Apocynum cervinum Greene Apocynum cinereum Nieuwl. nom. illeg. Apocynum cordigerum Greene Apocynum cuspidatum Greene ex Bég. & Belosersky Apocynum densiflorum Greene Apocynum dictyotum Greene Apocynum dimidiatum Raf. Apocynum estellinum Greene Apocynum farwellii Greene Apocynum greeneanum Bég. & Belosersky Apocynum hypericifolium Aiton Apocynum isophyllum Greene Apocynum ithacense Greene Apocynum laurinum Greene Apocynum littorale Greene Apocynum longifolium Greene Apocynum macounii Greene ex Bég. & Belosersky Apocynum missouriense Greene Apocynum myrianthum Greene Apocynum nemorale G.S.Mill. Apocynum neogeum Bég. & Belosersky Apocynum nevadense Goodd. Apocynum oblongum Greene Apocynum oliganthum Greene Apocynum palustre Greene Apocynum piscatorium Douglas ex A.DC Apocynum platyphyllum Greene Apocynum procerum Greene Apocynum pubescens Mitch. ex R.Br. Apocynum purpureum Tausch Apocynum salignum Greene Apocynum sibiricum Jacq. Apocynum subuligerum Greene Apocynum suksdorfii Greene Apocynum thermale Greene Apocynum tomentulosum Nieuwl. Apocynum venetum A.DC. nom. illeg. Cynopaema cannabinum (L.) Lunell Cynopaema hypericifolium (Aiton) Lunell Forsteronia pavonii A.DC.

Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, rheumatism root, or wild cotton) is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America - in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs". All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. The cannabinum in the scientific name and the common names hemp dogbane and Indian hemp refer to its similarity to Cannabis as a fiber plant (see Hemp), rather than as a source of a psychoactive drug (see Cannabis (drug))

Although dogbane is poisonous to livestock, it likely got its name from its resemblance to a European species of the same name.

Apocynum cannabinum grows in open wooded areas, ditches, and hillsides. It is found in gravelly or sandy soil, mainly near streams in shady or moist places.

Apocynum cannabinum grows up to 2 meters/6 feet tall. The stems are reddish and contain a milky latex capable of causing skin blisters. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, entire, and smooth on top with white hairs on the underside. It flowers from July to August, has large sepals, and a five-lobed white corolla. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by moths and butterflies.

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Wikipedia