Date: June 13, 2011. Location: F.W. Kent Park (map)
| Classification Hierarchy | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheophyta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Asteridae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Apocynum |
| Species | Apocynum cannabinum |
Date: June 13, 2011. Location: F.W. Kent Park (map)
Scientific Name: Apocynum cannabinum ([GR] apo=far from, cyon=dog; cannabinum=hemp-like) i.e. it makes dogs sick and the strong fiber—like hemp (Cannabis)—makes good cordage.
Common Name: Indianhemp, Common dogbane
Origin: Native
Notes: All parts of the plant are reported to be poisonous. Dogbane contains cymarin 1, 2 which has medical utility but can also cause cardiac arrest if improperly used.
Additional references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Flowers: June; white, anthers on short filaments attached to the base of the corolla, stigma large ovate slightly 2 lobed lacking a style, calyx lobes acute; inflorescence terminal compound cyme (the central cyme flowering first); fruit-two long slender follicles.
Leaves: petioled, oblong-elliptic, mostly ascending.
Stems: green or red to dark purple, secrete a white sap when cut or broken.
Glossaries of botanical terms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
