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Photographer: Gary Fewless
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Family Apocynaceae
Apocynum cannabinum L.
hemp-dogbane, Indian hemp
Apocynum: from the Greek for "away from dog," i.e. noxious to dogs, in reference to its ancient use as a dog poison, hence dogbane
cannabinum: hemp-like
Hazardous 
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 2'-5' tall forb, clone-forming, milky juice; branched toward the top of the main stem |
| Flower: | white to greenish, 5-parted, 1/8"-1/4" wide, cylindrical or urn-shaped, erect with erect or slightly spreading petals; inflorescence a branched cluster (cyme), main cyme terminal, others from the upper leaf axils; blooms June-Aug. |
| Fruit: | paired, long, very narrow pod with seeds on silky hair |
| Leaf: | opposite, short-stalked with sharp to rounded bases, erect or upward-pointing, very variable |
| Habitat: | dry to moderate moisture; roadsides, prairies |
| Notes: | tough, fibrous inner bark used for cordage by Native Americans; hybrids common |
| (Glossary) |
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