Indian Hemp

(Apocynum cannabinum)

 

Color Photographs: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

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

 

Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum L.)

Identification: Flowers white, arranged in panicles. Seedpods thin and elongate (3 to 5 inches), in pairs. Stem smooth, commonly tinged with red. Both stems and leaves secreting a white sap when broken. Leaves elongate-ovate. Plant 1 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America..

Habitat: Indian Hemp is found along the shores of lakes and ponds, in thickets, and along roadsides.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: The closely related Spreading Dogbane has pink 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 given below.

Apocynum cannabinum x androsaemifolium

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)

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