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Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, rheumatism root, or wild cotton)<ref name=itis/> is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause potetintally fatal cardiac arrhythmias if ingested. Some Lepidoptera can withstand the toxins and feed on this plant, such as the hummingbird moth.
DescriptionEdit
Apocynum cannabinum grows up to Template:Cvt tall. The stems are reddish and contain a milky latex. The leaves are opposite, simple, broad, and lanceolate, Template:Cvt long and Template:Cvt broad, entire, and smooth on top with white hairs on the underside. It flowers from July to August, has large sepals, and a five-lobed white corolla. The flowers are hermaphrodite, with both male and female organs.<ref name=pfaf/>
TaxonomyEdit
EtymologyEdit
Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs".Template:Citation needed The specific epithet cannabinum, and the common names hemp dogbane and Indian hemp refer to its similarity to Cannabis as a source of fiber.<ref name="wenner"/> It likely got its name from its resemblance to a European species of the same name.Template:Which<ref name=heiser/> It is called qéemu {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Nez Perce<ref name=qeemu/> and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Sahaptin.Template:Citation needed The Maidu Concow people call the plant pö (Konkow language).<ref name=chestnut/>
Distribution and habitatEdit
Apocynum cannabinum grows in open wooded areas, ditches, and hillsides. It is found in gravelly or sandy soil, mainly near streams in shady or moist places.<ref name=pfaf/> It is native to much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States.<ref name=usda/>
EcologyEdit
The plant serves as a larval host for the snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis),<ref name=hosts/> which is a pollinator that resembles a small hummingbird.<ref name=FS.FED.US/> It is also a host plant for the dogbane tiger moth (Cycnia tenera) and the zebra caterpillar (Melanchra picta). The larvae of Marmara apocynella<ref name=hosts/> feed on the stems, making a "long whitish serpentine mine".<ref name=gracillariidae/>
ToxicityEdit
It is poisonous to humans,<ref name=pfaf/> dogs, cats, and horses.<ref name=aspca/> All parts of the plant are toxic and contain cardiac glycosides.<ref name=pfaf/> The plant is toxic both green and dried.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stems contain a white sap capable of causing skin blisters.<ref name=ncsu/>
UsesEdit
FiberEdit
Much like flax and hemp, Apocynum cannabinum contains long fibers in the stems, known as bast fibers, which can be extracted and used to create textiles. The fibers are very fine and strong, with a silky texture, and easier to process than hemp.<ref name="wenner"/> The stalks of this plant have been used as a source of fiber by Native Americans<ref name=coville/> to make bows, fire-bows, nets, tie-down straps, hunting nets, fishing lines, bags,<ref name=kalm/> and clothing.<ref name=heiser/> According to Craig Bates of the Yosemite Museum, five stalks of the plant are needed to make one foot of cordage. A large bag used for storing roots would take one to three months to complete.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The stems should be harvested in the fall, after the leaves have fallen and the stalks have turned a deep reddish-brown color. Since cutting the stalks promotes regrowth in the spring, as much as possible should be harvested. Unused stems are traditionally cleared away by burning, which causes the plant to grow back taller and straighter in spring.
FoodEdit
The seeds have an edible use as a meal (raw or cooked) when ground into a powder.<ref name=pfaf/>
Chewing gumEdit
The plant's latex sap can be squeezed from the plant and allowed to stand overnight to harden into a white gum which can be used (sometimes mixed with clean clay) as chewing gum.<ref name=pfaf/>
PhytoremediationEdit
Apocynum cannabinum can be used to sequester lead in its biomass by taking it up from the soil through its roots. This process, called phytoremediation, could help clean sites contaminated with lead.<ref name=lasat/>
MedicinalEdit
It is used in herbal medicine to treat fever and to slow the pulse.<ref name=felter/> Apocynum cannabinum has been employed by various Native American tribes to treat a wide variety of complaints including rheumatism, coughs, pox, whooping cough, asthma, internal parasites, diarrhea, and to increase lactation.<ref name=pfaf/> The root has been used as a tonic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, an emetic (to induce vomiting), and an expectorant.<ref name=felter/><ref name=pfaf/> It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fresh root is medicinally the most active part. A weak tea made from the dried root has been used for cardiac diseases and as a vermifuge (an agent that expels parasitic worms). The milky sap is a folk remedy for genital warts.<ref name=pfaf/>
ReferencesEdit
Further readingEdit
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- Davis, A.; Renner, K.; Sprague, C.; Dyer, L.; Mutch, D. (2005) "Integrated Weed Management: One Year's Seeding." Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2931. East Lansing, Michigan. Accession Number LTER62246.
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