Spreading Dogbane

(Apocynum androsaemifolium)

 

Color Photograph: U.S. National Parks Service

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)

Identification: Flowers pink, fragrant, bell-shaped, commonly hanging downward. Seed pods long (3 to 5 inches) , thin, in pairs. Stem smooth, usually tinged with red. Leaves and stalk secreting a milky sap when broken. Leaves in opposite pairs, ovate-elongate. Plant 1 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: Most of North America.

Habitat: Spreading Dogbane is found in semi-disturbed habitats such as roadsides and thickets.

Flowering period: June to July.

Similar Species: The closely related Indian Hemp has white flowers.

Note: A hybrid between Spreading Dogbane and Indian Hemp is commonly found. This hybrid is usually called Intermediate Dogbane and has been treated as a separate species in older works. A photograph of the hybrid is available in the treatment of Indian Hemp.

Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)

Similar Species:

Similar Species