# hemp dogbane (*Apocynum cannabinum*) Hemp dogbane is a tall plant with pretty green leaves and clusters of small white flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in fields and along roadsides. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 61 - **Habitat:** Fields and roadsides ![hemp dogbane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Apocynum_cannabinum_6801.JPG&width=800) Photo: SB Johnny, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apocynum_cannabinum_6801.JPG) ## Appearance The hemp dogbane has slender, reddish-green stems and oval to lance-shaped leaves with smooth edges. Its small, bell-shaped flowers are typically greenish-white to yellow, appearing in clusters at the stem tips. A distinguishing feature is the milky white sap it exudes when broken. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Gentianales - **Family:** Apocynaceae - **Genus:** Apocynum ## Interesting facts - After blooming, it grows long, slender seed pods that look like twin needles. - Beware its name! 'Dogbane' means it was once thought to kill dogs. - Native Americans used its tough fibers to weave strong nets and fishing lines. - The milky sap inside can irritate skin and cause painful blisters! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Shield:** Hemp dogbane can ooze a milky white sap that contains toxins, deterring hungry herbivores from taking a bite. - **Deep Anchors:** This plant has deep rhizomatous roots that help it survive droughts and spread effectively in its habitat. - **Natural Ropes:** Hemp dogbane has incredibly strong, fibrous stems, allowing it to withstand strong winds and historically be used by humans for cordage. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — collects nectar from flowers - **Eaten by:** Apocynum Flea Beetle (*Phaeochrous emarginatus*) — larvae and adults feed on leaves - **Eaten by:** Apocynum Aphid (*Aphis apocyni*) — sucks sap from stems and leaves ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Fiber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fiber): This human use trait identifies species that yield natural fibers, used by humans for textiles, rope, paper, and other manufactured goods. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch the plant without asking an adult, as some parts can be irritating. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify hemp dogbane? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is hemp dogbane? 50-150 cm ### How wide does hemp dogbane spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on hemp dogbane? 0.2-0.4 cm ### When does hemp dogbane bloom? Summer ### Is hemp dogbane edible? No ### Is hemp dogbane toxic? Moderate ### What is hemp dogbane's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park - [Capen-Clark Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capen-clark-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Dead Run Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-run-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-division-of-the-pennsylvania-canal) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Eakin Community Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eakin-community-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see hemp dogbane](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hemp-dogbane) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Hemp Dogbane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hemp-dogbane)