Spreading Dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Dogbane family (Apocynaceae)

Apocynum is Greek for "noxious to dogs"; animals do avoid eating it. The plant has a wide variety of traditional medicinal uses from the treatment of syphilis to wart removal. Stem fibers are used to make thread and cord and a related species, A. cannabinum, is known as Indian Hemp. The two plants are quite similar but the leaves of A. androsaemum tend to droop vs. extend horizontally; its flower petals tend to curve back at the tips vs. extend straight; and its seed pods are twice vs. three times the length of its leaves. Both plants have lemon yellow leaves in late summer and fall and the plants then becomes much more visible.

"Apocynum" is Greek for "away dog," i.e., "dogbane." "Androsaemifolium" means "with leaves similar to those of the genus Androsaemum," a name once given to the genus that we now call "Hypericum."

Description

Bushy perennial herb, 8-20" tall, with opposite, drooping leaves. Leaves are ovate-oblong, smooth on short stalks, and usually hairy on underside. Small white-pink clusters of flowers arise from axils of terminal leaves. Flowers are bell-shaped with 5 fused petals often with red stripes on the inside. Stems have milky sap. Hybridizes with several other species making precise identification difficult.

Field Marks

Opposite red stems, spreading to drooping leaves, milky sap.

© Al Schneider