Apocynum androsaemifolium

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A 2-5 ft. widely branching, bushy, perennial with opposite, oval leaves and small groups of tiny, pink, bell-shaped flowers near the branch tips. The flowers’ fragrance is reminiscent of lilac. Numerous small pink, nodding, bell-like flowers, fragrant and striped inside with deeper pink. Milky juice exudes from broken stems and leaves. These plants are relatives of the milkweeds. Indian Hemp (A. cannabinum), a slightly smaller species with erect clusters of greenish-white flowers, is also found in fields and is poisonous. Clasping-leaved Dogbane (A. sibiricum), found widely throughout the Northeast in sandy or gravelly habitats such as stream banks, has stalk-less or nearly stalk-less leaves.

Bloom period

June to July.

Distribution

Throughout Washington and much of Canada and the United States.

Habitat

Dry open rocky woods, thickets, roadsides in open areas from low to fairly high elevations. Typically found growing in sandy or gravelly, dry soils.

Uses

First Nations

One of the digitalis group of cardiac tonics, apocynum, is the most powerful in slowing the pulse, and its action on the vaso-motor system is also very strong. Being rather irritant to mucous membranes, it may cause nausea and catharsis, so that some cannot tolerate it. It is a powerful hydragogue, helpful in dropsies due to heart-failure, and in the ascites of hepatic cirrhosts has been called the 'vegetable trocar.'

Women of some tribes rolled dogbane stem fibers on their legs to make fine thread, said to be finer and stronger than the best cotton thread. It was used for sewing and for making twine, nets, fabric and bowstrings.

Other Uses

These plants are relatives of the milkweeds. Indian Hemp (A. cannabinum), a slightly smaller species with erect clusters of greenish-white flowers, is also found in fields and is poisonous. Clasping-leaved Dogbane (A. sibiricum), found widely throughout the Northeast in sandy or gravelly habitats such as stream banks, has stalkless or nearly stalkless leaves. Women of some tribes rolled dogbane stem fibres on their legs to make fine thread, said to be finer and stronger than the best cotton thread. It was used for sewing and for making twine, nets, fabric and bowstrings. The poisonous, acrid sap was said to stimulate hair growth by irritating the follicles, but people with sensitive skin are more likely to develop blisters than hair.

Propogation

Propagation Protocol

Seed

Abbreviation: APAN

Seed sample from: 2009

Average Measurement: 1.8 x 0.4 x 0.2

Measurement Range: L: 1.2 – 2.1, W: 0.2 – 0.5, D: 0.1 – 0.3

Features

Shape: Narrow at hilum end, and opposite apex. Seed somewhat flattened.

Color: Hilum white against brown seed body.

Surface: Longitudinally ribbed with small glossy globules. Seed lustrous.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical