Apocynum cannabinum

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Lamiids
Ordo: Gentianales

Familia: Apocynaceae
Subfamilia: Apocynoideae
Tribus: Apocyneae
Subtribus: Apocyinae
Genus: Apocynum
Species: Apocynum cannabinum
Name

Apocynum cannabinum L., 1753
Synonyms

Homotypic
Apocynum cannabinum var. typicum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 690 (1913), not validly publ.
Cynopaema cannabinum (L.) Lunell, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 4: 509 (1916).
Heterotypic
Apocynum sibiricum Jacq., Hort. Bot. Vindob. 3: 37 (1777).
Apocynum hypericifolium Aiton, Hort. Kew. 1: 304 (1789).
Apocynum canadense Shecut, Fl. Carol. 1: 187 (1806).
Apocynum pubescens Mitch. ex R.Br., Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 68 (1809).
Apocynum purpureum Tausch, Flora 19(2): 385 (1836).
Apocynum dimidiatum Raf., Autik. Bot.: 181 (1840).
Apocynum cannabinum var. glaberrimum A.DC. in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 8: 439 (1844).
Apocynum cannabinum var. pubescens (Mitch. ex R.Br.) A.DC. in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 8: 440 (1844).
Apocynum piscatorium Douglas ex A.DC in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 8: 439 (1844).
Apocynum venetum A.DC. in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 8: 440 (1844), nom. illeg.
Forsteronia pavonii A.DC. in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 8: 438 (1844).
Apocynum cannabinum var. hypericifolium (Aiton) A.Gray, Manual: 365 (1848).
Apocynum cannabinum var. lanceolatum Durand & Hilg., Pl. Heermannianae: 41 (1854).
Apocynum cannabinum f. pubescens (Mitch. ex R.Br.) Voss, Vilm. Blumengärtn. ed. 3, 1: 660 (1894).
Apocynum album Greene, Pittonia 3: 230 (1897).
Apocynum nemorale G.S.Mill., Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 13: 87 (1900).
Apocynum laurinum Greene, Pittonia 5: 65 (1902).
Apocynum oblongum Greene, Pittonia 5: 65 (1902).
Apocynum salignum Greene, Pittonia 5: 64 (1902).
Apocynum suksdorfii Greene, Pittonia 5: 65 (1902).
Apocynum suksdorfii var. typicum Greene, Pittonia 5: 65 (1902), not validly publ.
Apocynum myrianthum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 1: 59 (1904).
Apocynum nevadense Goodd., Bot. Gaz. 37: 57 (1904).
Apocynum oliganthum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 1: 58 (1904).
Apocynum palustre Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 1: 58 (1904).
Apocynum cannabinum var. nemorale (G.S.Mill.) Fernald, Rhodora 10: 55 (1908).
Apocynum cordigerum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 164 (1911).
Apocynum hypericifolium f. arenarium (Greene) F.C.Gates, Torreya 11: 128 (1911).
Apocynum arenarium Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 173 (1912).
Apocynum bebbianum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 168 (1912).
Apocynum bolanderi Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 175 (1912).
Apocynum breweri Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 176 (1912).
Apocynum cervinum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 174 (1912).
Apocynum densiflorum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 176 (1912).
Apocynum dictyotum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 169 (1912).
Apocynum estellinum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 165 (1912).
Apocynum farwellii Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 168 (1912).
Apocynum isophyllum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 166 (1912).
Apocynum ithacense Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 170 (1912).
Apocynum littorale Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 171 (1912).
Apocynum longifolium Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 177 (1912).
Apocynum missouriense Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 165 (1912).
Apocynum platyphyllum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 166 (1912).
Apocynum procerum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 169 (1912).
Apocynum subuligerum Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 171 (1912).
Apocynum thermale Greene, Leafl. Bot. Observ. Crit. 2: 176 (1912).
Apocynum angustifolium Wooton, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 16: 159 (1913), nom. illeg.
Apocynum cannabinum var. album (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 105 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. bolanderi (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Rev. Monogr. Apocynum: 108 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. estellinum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Rev. Monogr. Apocynum: 107 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. floribundum Bég. & Belosersky, Rev. Monogr. Apocynum: 108 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. incanum Bég. & Belosersky, Rev. Monogr. Apocynum: 101 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. isophyllum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Rev. Monogr. Apocynum: 107 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. oliganthum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 104 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. palustre Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 103 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum f. pennsilvanicum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 103 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. puberulum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 101 (1913).
Apocynum cannabinum var. suksdorfii (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 105 (1913).
Apocynum carolinii Nieuwl., Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 53 (1913).
Apocynum cinereum Nieuwl., Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 56 (1913), nom. illeg.
Apocynum cuspidatum Greene ex Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 115 (1913).
Apocynum greeneanum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 111 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. angustifolium Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 120 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. cordigerum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 114 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. intermedium Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 113 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. myrianthum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 118 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. nevadense (Goodd.) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 115 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. oblongum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 119 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. salignum (Greene) Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 118 (1913).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. typicum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 703 (1913), not validly publ.
Apocynum macounii Greene ex Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 115 (1913).
Apocynum neogeum Bég. & Belosersky, Atti Reale Accad. Lincei, Mem. Cl. Sci. Fis., ser. 5a, 9: 108 (1913).
Apocynum tomentulosum Nieuwl., Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 166 (1913).
Apocynum farwellii f. anomalum Farw., Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 17: 170 (1916).
Apocynum farwellii var. glaucum Farw., Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 17: 170 (1916).
Apocynum farwellii f. ternarium Farw., Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 17: 170 (1916).
Apocynum farwellii f. verticillare Farw., Rep. (Annual) Michigan Acad. Sci. 17: 170 (1916).
Cynopaema hypericifolium (Aiton) Lunell, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 4: 509 (1916).
Apocynum cannabinum var. greeneanum (Bég. & Belosersky) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 17: 132 (1930).
Apocynum hypericifolium var. farwellii (Greene) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 17: 140 (1930).
Apocynum suksdorfii var. angustifolium (Bég. & Belosersky) Woodson, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 17: 119 (1930).
Apocynum sibiricum f. arenarium (Greene) Fernald, Rhodora 37: 328 (1935).
Apocynum sibiricum var. cordigerum (Greene) Fernald, Rhodora 37: 327 (1935).
Apocynum sibiricum var. salignum (Greene) Fernald, Rhodora 37: 328 (1935).
Apocynum sibiricum var. farwellii (Greene) Woodson in N.L.Britton & al. (eds.), N. Amer. Fl. 29: 192 (1938).
Apocynum cannabinum f. arenarium (Greene) B.Boivin, Naturaliste Canad. 93: 128 (1966).
Apocynum cannabinum subsp. cordigerum (Greene) Á.Löve & D.Löve, Taxon 31: 352 (1982).
Apocynum cannabinum var. angustifolium N.H.Holmgren in A.J.Cronquist & al., Intermountain Fl. 4: 28 (1984).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:
Apocynum cannabinum

Continental: Northern America
Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec), USA (Colorado, Oregon, Washington State, Wyoming, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Isl., Vermont, West Virginia, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia), Mexico (Baja California Norte, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, Sonora, Tamaulipas)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus I: 213. Reference page.

Links

Hassler, M. 2018. Apocynum cannabinum. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2018. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Sep 18. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2018. Apocynum cannabinum in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Sep 18. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2018. Apocynum cannabinum. Published online. Accessed: Sep 18 2018.
The Plant List 2013. Apocynum cannabinum in The Plant List Version 1.1. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Sep 18.
Tropicos.org 2018. Apocynum cannabinum. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 18 Sep 2018.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Apocynum cannabinum in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

Vernacular names
English: Dogbane, Indian Hemp

Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, rheumatism root, or wild cotton)[2] is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States.[1][3] It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs". All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. However, some Lepidoptera feed on this plant, such as two hummingbird moths.[4] The specific epithet cannabinum 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.

Although dogbane is poisonous to livestock, it likely got its name from its resemblance to a European species of the same name.[which?][5]

Description

Apocynum cannabinum grows up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) 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 (2+3⁄4–6 in) long and 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) 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.[6]
Apocynum cannabinum fruits and seeds
Distribution and habitat

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.[6]

This species is native to North America. However, in gardens it can be unwanted, growing from spreading roots. When growing among corn, Apocynum cannabinum can reduce yields by up to 10% and when growing among soybeans, by up to 40%. It can be controlled through mechanical means, although it is difficult to control with herbicides.
Ecology

The plant serves as a larval host for the snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) and hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) moths. These moths are pollinators that resemble small hummingbirds.
Uses

The plant can be used for various purposes. The most used parts are the seeds, the root, and the bark.
Fiber

The stalks of Apocynum cannabinum were used as a source of fiber by Native Americans[7] to make bows, fire-bows, nets, tie down straps, hunting nets, fishing lines, bags,[8] and clothing.[5] It is called qéemu [qǽːmu] in Nez Perce and [taxʷɨ́s] in Sahaptin. The Concow tribe call the plant pö (Konkow language).[9]
Food

The seeds have an edible use as a meal (raw or cooked) when ground into a powder.[6]
Chewing gum

After the latex has been squeezed from the plant, it is allowed to stand overnight to harden into a white gum which can be used (sometimes mixed with clean clay) as chewing gum.[6]
Phytoremediation

Apocynum cannabinum is a phytoremediation plant, a hyperaccumulator used to sequester lead in its biomass. [jargon explanation needed]
Medicinal

It is used in herbal medicine to treat fever,[10] and dysentery. Although the toxins from the plant can cause nausea and catharsis,[dubious – discuss] it has also been used for slowing the pulse,[10] and it is also a sedative and mild hypnotic. It is an unpleasantly bitter stimulant irritant herb that acts on the heart, respiratory and urinary systems, and also on the uterus. Apocynum cannabinum was much employed by various Native American tribes who used it to treat a wide variety of complaints including rheumatism, coughs, pox, whooping cough, asthma, internal parasites, diarrhoea and also to increase milk flow in lactating mothers.[6] The root has been used as a tonic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic (induces vomitting) and expectorant.[10][6] It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fresh root is the most active part medicinally.[6] A weak tea made from the dried root has been used for cardiac diseases and also as a vermifuge (an agent that expels parasitic worms).[6] The milky sap is a (presumably topically applied) folk remedy for venereal warts.[6] The plant is still used in modern herbalism, though it should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner if taken internally.
References

"Apocynum cannabinum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved June 18, 2014 – via The Plant List.
"Apocynum cannabinum". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
"Apocynum cannabinum". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014.
"Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris spp.)". Retrieved July 23, 2017.
Heiser, C. B. (2003). Weeds in my Garden: Observations on some Misunderstood Plants. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 50. ISBN 0-88192-562-4.
"Apocynum cannabinum". Plants for a Future. Retrieved Jan 4, 2015.
Coville, F. V. (1897). "Notes On The Plants Used By The Klamath Indians Of Oregon" (PDF). Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium. 5 (2): 87–108 (p. 103).
Kalm, Pehr (1772). Travels into North America: containing its natural history, and a circumstantial account of its plantations and agriculture in general, with the civil, ecclesiastical and commercial state of the country, the manners of the inhabitants, and several curious and important remarks on various subjects. Translated by Johann Reinhold Forster. London: T. Lowndes. p. 103. ISBN 9780665515002. OCLC 1083889360.
Chesnut, V. K. (1902). "Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino County, California". Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium. 7 (3): 295–408 (p. 407). LCCN 08010527.

Felter, Harvey (1922). The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Eclectic Medical Publications. ISBN 1888483032.

Wikiversity has bloom time data for Apocynum cannabinum on the Bloom Clock

Blanchan, Neltje (2002). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
A. Davis, K. Renner, C. Sprague, L. Dyer, D. Mutch (2005). Integrated Weed Management. MSU.