Wildflower Spot – May 2015 John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Society

Apocynum cannabinum

By Helen Hamilton, Past-president of the John Clayton DogbaneChapter, VNPS

This shrub-like herbaceous perennial grows 3-5 feet tall with attractive purplish stems that branch near the top. The long, drooping are opposite on the stem, attached with short - ly resemble, both stems and leaves produce a stalks. Like milkweeds, which they superficial appear in clusters at the ends of branches from Maymilky through sap when July. broken. White, bell-like

This plant is found in all counties of Virginia, and throughout the U.S. and Canada. Easy to grow, with erect stems, Dogbane would edge of woodlands. It prefers full sun and fit at the back of a perennial border or at the -

Dogbanesomewhat for moist nectar soils and but as tolerates host plant both for floodits are poisonous, containing glycosides affecting caterpillars.ing and drought. The Monarch uses heart activity.

The common name, Dogbane, refers to the Also known as “Indian ,” Native American plant’s toxic nature, which has been described women made miles and miles of twine from as “poisonous to dogs.” means “away dog!” and cannabinum means “like hemp.” Their homes were constructed of vertical and The roots were commonly harvested in the 19th horizontalthe long fibers poles in covered the stems with of thisbent plant. saplings, and early 20th centuries for a variety of folk and all lashed together with Dogbane twine, which other medical purposes. Native Americans and colonists used the berries and root in weak teas ropes. Such uses are thousands of years old – for heart ailments and as a , with appro- Dogbanealso furnished remnants fishnets, have baskets, been found mats in and ancient priate preparation, since all parts of the plant archeological sites. v

Photo: Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) taken by Helen Hamilton For more information about native visit www.vnps.org.