Apocynum cannabinum

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use American English Template:Speciesbox Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, hemp dogsbane, rheumatism root, dogsbane, or wild cotton)<ref name="itis" /> is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause potetintally fatal cardiac arrhythmias if ingested. Some Lepidoptera can withstand the toxins and feed on this plant.

Description

Apocynum cannabinum grows up to Template:Cvt tall. The stems are reddish and contain a milky latex. The leaves are opposite, simple, broad, and lanceolate, Template:Cvt long and Template:Cvt broad, entire, and smooth on top with white hairs on the underside. It flowers from July to August, has large sepals, and a five-lobed white corolla. The flowers are hermaphrodite, with both male and female organs.<ref name=pfaf/> The seeds have white, silky hairs to aid in wind dispersal, but the light-weight seed is also able to disperse via water due to its light weight.<ref name= "DiTommaso"/> The root system consists of short rhizomes and horizontal roots.<ref name= "DiTommaso">Template:Cite journal</ref>

File:Apocynum cannabinum 20100904b.jpg

Apocynum cannabinum fruits and seeds

Taxonomy

Apocynum cannabinum was described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is classified in the genus Apocynum, a part of the family Apocynaceae. It has no accepted subspecies, but it has Template:Table row counter synonyms.<ref name="POWO">Template:Cite POWO</ref>

Table of Synonyms

Name	Year	Rank	Notes
Apocynum album Template:Small	1897	species	= het.
Apocynum angustifolium Template:Small	1913	species	= het., nom. illeg.
Apocynum arenarium Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum bebbianum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum bolanderi Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum breweri Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum canadense Template:Small	1806	species	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. album Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. angustifolium Template:Small	1984	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum f. arenarium Template:Small	1966	form	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. bolanderi Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum subsp. cordigerum Template:Small	1982	subspecies	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. estellinum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. floribundum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. glaberrimum Template:Small	1844	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. greeneanum Template:Small	1930	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. hypericifolium Template:Small	1848	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. incanum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. isophyllum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. lanceolatum Template:Small	1854	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. nemorale Template:Small	1908	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. oliganthum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. palustre Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum f. pennsilvanicum Template:Small	1913	form	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. puberulum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum f. pubescens Template:Small	1894	form	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. pubescens Template:Small	1844	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. suksdorfii Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum cannabinum var. typicum Template:Small	1913	variety	≡ hom., not validly publ.
Apocynum carolinii Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum cervinum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum cinereum Template:Small	1913	species	= het., nom. illeg.
Apocynum cordigerum Template:Small	1911	species	= het.
Apocynum cuspidatum Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum densiflorum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum dictyotum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum dimidiatum Template:Small	1840	species	= het.
Apocynum estellinum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum farwellii Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum farwellii f. anomalum Template:Small	1916	form	= het.
Apocynum farwellii var. glaucum Template:Small	1916	variety	= het.
Apocynum farwellii f. ternarium Template:Small	1916	form	= het.
Apocynum farwellii f. verticillare Template:Small	1916	form	= het.
Apocynum greeneanum Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium Template:Small	1789	species	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. angustifolium Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium f. arenarium Template:Small	1911	form	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. cordigerum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. farwellii Template:Small	1930	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. intermedium Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. myrianthum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. nevadense Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. oblongum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. salignum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het.
Apocynum hypericifolium var. typicum Template:Small	1913	variety	= het., not validly publ.
Apocynum isophyllum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum ithacense Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum laurinum Template:Small	1902	species	= het.
Apocynum littorale Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum longifolium Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum macounii Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum missouriense Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum myrianthum Template:Small	1904	species	= het.
Apocynum nemorale Template:Small	1900	species	= het.
Apocynum neogeum Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum nevadense Template:Small	1904	species	= het.
Apocynum oblongum Template:Small	1902	species	= het.
Apocynum oliganthum Template:Small	1904	species	= het.
Apocynum palustre Template:Small	1904	species	= het.
Apocynum piscatorium Template:Small	1844	species	= het.
Apocynum platyphyllum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum procerum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum pubescens Template:Small	1811	species	= het.
Apocynum purpureum Template:Small	1836	species	= het.
Apocynum salignum Template:Small	1902	species	= het.
Apocynum sibiricum Template:Small	1777	species	= het.
Apocynum sibiricum f. arenarium Template:Small	1935	form	= het.
Apocynum sibiricum var. cordigerum Template:Small	1935	variety	= het.
Apocynum sibiricum var. farwellii Template:Small	1938	variety	= het.
Apocynum sibiricum var. salignum Template:Small	1935	variety	= het.
Apocynum subuligerum Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum suksdorfii Template:Small	1902	species	= het.
Apocynum suksdorfii var. angustifolium Template:Small	1930	variety	= het.
Apocynum suksdorfii var. typicum Template:Small	1902	variety	= het., not validly publ.
Apocynum thermale Template:Small	1912	species	= het.
Apocynum tomentulosum Template:Small	1913	species	= het.
Apocynum venetum Template:Small	1844	species	= het., nom. illeg.
Cynopaema cannabinum Template:Small	1916	species	≡ hom.
Cynopaema hypericifolium Template:Small	1916	species	= het.
Forsteronia pavonii Template:Small	1844	species	= het.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym

Etymology

Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs".Template:Citation needed The specific epithet cannabinum, and the common names hemp dogbane and Indian hemp refer to its similarity to Cannabis as a source of fiber.<ref name="wenner"/> It likely got its name from its resemblance to a European species of the same name.Template:Which<ref name=heiser/> It is called qéemu {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Nez Perce<ref name=qeemu/> and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Sahaptin.Template:Citation needed The Maidu Concow people call the plant pö (Konkow language).<ref name=chestnut/>

Distribution and habitat

Apocynum cannabinum grows in open wooded areas, ditches, and hillsides. It is found in gravelly or sandy soil, mainly near streams in shady or moist places.<ref name=pfaf/> It is also found in human-disturbed habitats.<ref name= "Sievers">Template:Cite book</ref> It is native to much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States.<ref name="NRCS" />

Ecology

File:Apocynum cannabinum 4.jpg

Apocynum cannabinum flowers

The plant serves as a larval host for the snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis),<ref name=hosts/> which is a pollinator that resembles a small hummingbird.<ref name=FS.FED.US/> It is also a host plant for the dogbane tiger moth (Cycnia tenera) and the zebra caterpillar (Melanchra picta). The larvae of Marmara apocynella<ref name=hosts/> feed on the stems, making a "long whitish serpentine mine".<ref name=gracillariidae/> Indian hemp is primarily pollinated by insects that are attracted to the fragrance and nectar of the flower.<ref name= "DiTommaso"/>

Toxicity

It is poisonous to humans,<ref name=pfaf/> dogs, cats, and horses.<ref name=aspca/> All parts of the plant are toxic and contain cardiac glycosides.<ref name=pfaf/> The plant is toxic both green and dried.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stems contain a white sap capable of causing skin blisters.<ref name=ncsu/>

Uses

Fiber

Much like flax and hemp, Apocynum cannabinum contains long fibers in the stems, known as bast fibers, which can be extracted and used to create textiles. The fibers are very fine and strong, with a silky texture, and easier to process than hemp.<ref name="wenner"/> The stalks of this plant have been used as a source of fiber by Native Americans<ref name=coville/> to make bows, fire-bows, nets, tie-down straps, hunting nets, fishing lines, bags,<ref name=kalm/> and clothing.<ref name=heiser/> According to Craig Bates of the Yosemite Museum, five stalks of the plant are needed to make one foot of cordage. A large bag used for storing roots would take one to three months to complete.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stems should be harvested in the fall, after the leaves have fallen and the stalks have turned a deep reddish-brown color. Since cutting the stalks promotes regrowth in the spring, as much as possible should be harvested. Unused stems are traditionally cleared away by burning, which causes the plant to grow back taller and straighter in spring.

Food

The seeds have an edible use as a meal (raw or cooked) when ground into a powder.<ref name=pfaf/>

Chewing gum

The plant's latex sap can be squeezed from the plant and allowed to stand overnight to harden into a white gum which can be used (sometimes mixed with clean clay) as chewing gum.<ref name=pfaf/>

Phytoremediation

Apocynum cannabinum can be used to sequester lead in its biomass by taking it up from the soil through its roots. This process, called phytoremediation, could help clean sites contaminated with lead.<ref name=lasat/>

Medicinal

File:Apocynum cannabinum 7.jpg

Apocynum cannabinum showing sap from a broken leaf

It is used in herbal medicine to treat fever and to slow the pulse.<ref name=felter/> Apocynum cannabinum has been employed by various Native American tribes to treat a wide variety of complaints including rheumatism, coughs, pox, whooping cough, asthma, internal parasites, diarrhea, and to increase lactation.<ref name=pfaf/> The root has been used as a tonic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, an emetic (to induce vomiting), and an expectorant.<ref name=felter/><ref name=pfaf/> It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fresh root is medicinally the most active part. A weak tea made from the dried root has been used for cardiac diseases and as a vermifuge (an agent that expels parasitic worms). The milky sap is a folk remedy for genital warts.<ref name=pfaf/> However, both illness and deaths have resulted from use as a medicine.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Further reading

• Template:Cite book
• Davis, A.; Renner, K.; Sprague, C.; Dyer, L.; Mutch, D. (2005) "Integrated Weed Management: One Year's Seeding." Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2931. East Lansing, Michigan. Accession Number LTER62246.
• {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}

• Native American Ethnobotany DB: Apocynum cannabinum

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment – Apocynum cannabinum
• Template:CalPhotos