Hemp Dogbane, Indian  Hemp

Apocynum cannabinum L.

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

young plant stem emerging from creeping roots ▲

mature plant ▲

flowers ▲▼

plant with twin fruit pod clusters ▲

Hemp Dogbane: (page 50-51 in Weeds of the Great Plains, mentioned on page 102 in Weeds of the Northeast)

·         a warm-season, creeping perennial weed with rhizomes

·         similar in appearance to milkweeds, with opposite, oval leaves, and milky or clear sap

·         grows 2-5’ tall, usually with much branching toward the top of the plant

·         flowers in terminal umbels, white to greenish white or sometimes slightly pinkish white

·        similar species,  spreading dogbane has larger, bell-like pink-white flowers, and more horizontal branches and leaves

·         seed pods are long, slender in pairs—like horns—from top of plant; seeds have parachutes like milkweeds

·         poisonous to livestock

·         common in drier soils, in pastures, cultivated fields, roadsides, non-crop areas