Hemp Dogbane, Indian Hemp
Apocynum cannabinum L.
Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
▲ colony of hemp dogbane in a field
▲▼ young plant stem emerging from creeping roots
▲ young, pre-flowering plant
▲▼mature flowering plants
▲▼ mature flowering plants
▲▼flowers
▲▼flowers
▲▼flowers
▲▼flowers
▲▼plant with twin fruit pod clusters
▲ fall foliage color is often a clear yellow
Apocynum cannabinum L.; Hemp Dogbane: (Bayer Code: APCCA; US Code APCA)
· 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
Updated 15 January 2019