Indianhemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
- Family: Dogbane (Apocynaceae)
- Flowering: June-September.
- Field Marks: This common species is distinguished by its milky sap, opposite leaves, small white flowers, and pairs of slender fruits.
- Habitat: Fields, roadsides, edge of woods, prairies, thickets, in both moist and dry situations.
- Habit: Perennial herbs.
- Stems: Erect, branched, smooth or hairy, up to 4 1/2 feet tall.
- Leaves: Opposite, simple, lanceolate to ovate, pointed at the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, without teeth, smooth or hairy, up to 6 inches long.
- Flowers: Several in terminal cymes, white or greenish white, each flower up to 1/4 inch long.
- Sepals: 5, green, very small, free nearly to the base.
- Petals: 5, white or greenish white, united below to form a short tube, up to 1/4 inch long.
- Stamens: 5, not protruding beyond the petals.
- Pistils: Ovaries 2, superior.
- Fruits: Pair of slender follicles up to 6 inches long, with seeds bearing a tuft of white hairs.
- Notes: This highly variable species grows in a variety of moist and dry habitats. It contains poisonous properties.
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