Apocynum
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Apocynum, commonly known as dogbane<ref name="kor">Template:Cite book</ref> or Indian hemp,<ref name="kor" /> is a small genus of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae. Its name comes from Ancient Greek Template:Wikt-lang,<ref>Template:LSJ.</ref> from Template:Wikt-lang apo- "away" and Template:Wikt-lang kyōn "dog",<ref>http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/coopext/plantdetail.do?sna=Apocynum+androsaemifolium&image=0 Template:Webarchive Colorado Plant Database</ref> referring to dogbane (Cionura erecta),<ref>Template:LSJ</ref> which was used to poison dogs.<ref>Template:Jepson Manual</ref> The genus is native to North America, temperate Asia, and southeastern Europe.<ref name="WCSP"/><ref>Template:EFloras</ref><ref>Template:BONAP</ref>
Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the queen butterfly and the mouse moth.
UsesEdit
Apocynum cannabinum is used as a source of fiber by Native Americans. Apocynum venetum (Template:Zh) is used as an herbal tea in China.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Dogbane contains cymarin, a cardiotonic agent formerly used to treat cardiac arrhythmia in humans.<ref>National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Cymarine</ref>
SpeciesEdit
Almost 300 names have been proposed in the genus for species, subspecies, and forms.<ref name="WCSP"/> Template:As of, only the following five species and hybrids are currently recognized, with several subspecies and varieties accepted for A. androsaemifolium and A. venetum (see their respective species pages).<ref name=powo/>
- Apocynum androsaemifolium L. – Canada, United States, northeastern Mexico
- Apocynum cannabinum L. – Canada, United States
- Apocynum × floribundum Greene (a hybrid of A. androsaemifolium and A. cannabinum) – Canada, United States, northern Mexico
- Apocynum pictum Schrenk – China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
- Apocynum venetum L. – southeastern Europe and Asia
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