Apocynum cannabinum L.

Indian Hemp; Hemp Dogbane

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Indian Hemp is a native herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Indian Hemp occurs in dry open woods, on roadsides, and in disturbed areas. It is a perennial with a taproot and branching rhizomes. Stems are erect, 2-4 feet in height, green or reddish in color, glabrous, and often glaucous. The stems are branched above the middle. Leaves are opposite, short petiolate or sessile, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, glabrous, with entire margins. All parts of the plant exude a milky sap when injured. Flowers are produced in terminal flat topped to rounded cymes. Individual flowers have a green calyx with 5 teeth and 5 greenish-white or yellowish-green petals. The flowers are urn or bell shaped and do not open widely. The flowers are sweet scented. The fruit is a narrow cylindrical follicle with cylindrical seed, each with a tuff of white hairs at its apex. Native Americans used the tough fibers in the stem for rope and twine.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC- (NWPL)

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