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Photographer: Merel R. Black
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Family Apocynaceae
Apocynum sibiricum Jacq.
clasping 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
sibiricum: of Siberia
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect or drooping, perennial, 1'-5' tall forb, clone-forming, milky juice |
| Flower: | whitish to yellow, 5-parted, 1/8"-1/4" wide, bell-shaped, erect flowers with erect or slightly spreading petals; inflorescence a branched cluster (cyme), main cyme terminal and the others from the upper leaf axils; blooms June-Aug. |
| Fruit: | long and very narrow pods with seeds on silky hair |
| Leaf: | opposite, usually hairless below, stalkless or on very short stalks, often clasping the stem, rounded or with a shallow, heart-shaped base |
| 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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