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Apocynum androsaemifolium L.

Spreading dogbane

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderGentianalesGentians, coffee, gardenias, frangipani, many others
FamilyApocynaceaeDogbane family
GenusApocynumFrom Greek apo, “away from;” and kyon or kunos, “dog”: noxious to dogs, for its ancient use as a dog poison
SpeciesandrosaemifoliumWith leaves like Androsaemum, which derives from the Greek name Androsaimon, which in turn is derived from andros, “man,” and haima, “blood,” in reference to its blood-red sap or juice

About plant names...

Spreading dogbane is related to milkweeds and, like milkweeds, exudes a milky sap when leaves and stems are broken. The foreboding name dogbane comes from its strong toxicity, to people as well as dogs. Dogbane is a North America native plant.

Identification: Plants are shrubby, up to 4′ (1.2 m) in height. Stems are branching, smooth or slightly hairy, round, light green, dark red, or purple. Leaves are opposite, roughly oval-shaped, with pointed tips and smooth edges, green on top and pale green below. Flowers are white to pink or with pink interiors, about ¼″ (6.3 mm) around, tubular to bell-shaped, with five flared petals. They are fragrant and occur in clusters at the tips of branches. They remind me a little of blueberry flowers.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones Potent, intensely bitter alkaloids apocynamarin or cymarin depress heart rate and act on the vaso-motor system.

Online References:

Missouriplants.com

Montana Plant Life

Botanical.com

Illinois Wildflowers

The University of Massachusetts Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

6/27/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 6″ (9.6 × 14 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

This photo is looking up from below. · 8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

6/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Apocynum ambigens Greene

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. glabrum Macoun

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. griseum (Greene) Bég. & Beloserky

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. intermedium Woodson

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. incanum A. DC.

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. ssp. pumilum (A. Gray) B. Boivin

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. pumilum A. Gray

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. tomentellum (Greene) B. Boivin

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. var. woodsonii B. Boivin

Apocynum pumilum (A. Gray) Greene

Apocynum pumilum (A. Gray) Greene var. rhomboideum (Greene) Bég. & Beloserky

Apocynum scopulorum Greene ex Rydb.

 

Apocynum androsaemifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 Sep 2021.

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Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 17 × 11″ (42 × 28 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

7/6/2017 · Mt. Watatic, access road, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

8/16/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

6/15/2012 · Townsend State Forest, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

7/28/2013 · Andres Institute of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 2½ × 1½′ (79 × 53 cm)

Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)

7/6/2017 · Mt. Watatic, access road, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Range:

About this map...