Common Name: Spreading Dogbane

General Information

Apocynum androsaemifolium is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant producing branched stems up to 100cm tall from a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fibre and latex. A very ornamental plant[], but it can be invasive[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[, ].
The plant is considered to be poisonous to livestock and is only intermittently grazed by wildlife[].

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America - widespread from Alaska to Newfoundland, south to California and Georgia..

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of sites including open woodland and woodland edges - most commonly in dry, open areas, but also in riparian zones and shady, moist areas with clayey soils; growing at elevations from sea level to 3,400 metres[, , ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers an acid peaty soil[] but it succeeds in sun or shade in most well-drained soils and climates[, ].
The flowers the flowers secrete a sweet liquid that is very attractive to flies[]. The flies are then imprisoned by their proboscis which becomes trapped between the short filaments of the stamens[].
Hybridization is common within the genus Apocynum. This species commonly hybridizes with Apocynum cannabinum to produce Apocynum × medium Greene[].
The plant survives fast, short-lived fires, resprouting from the rhizomes and quickly colonizing the burnt ground[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Spreading dogbane is an unpleasantly bitter stimulant irritant herb that acts on the heart, respiratory and urinary systems, and also on the uterus[]. It was widely employed by the native North American Indians who used it to treat a wide variety of complaints including headaches, convulsions, earache, heart palpitations, colds, insanity and dizziness[].
It should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner if taking this plant internally[, ].

The root is cardiotonic, cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and expectorant[, , , , ]. It has a powerful action in slowing the pulse and also has a very strong action on the vaso-motor system, it is rather an irritant to the mucous membranes though, so some people cannot tolerate it[].
The juice of the fresh root has been used in the treatment of syphilis[]. The sap of the plant has been applied externally to get rid of warts[].
The roots were boiled in water and the water drunk once a week in order to prevent conception[].

The green fruits were boiled and the decoction used in the treatment of heart and kidney problems and for the treatment of dropsy[]. This preparation can irritate the intestines and cause unpleasant side-effects[].

The root contains cymarin, a cardioactive glycoside that is toxic to ruminants[].

The plant is used in homeopathy, especially in the treatment of rheumatism[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a good quality fibre that is used for making twine, bags, linen etc[, , , ]. It is inferior to Apocynum cannabinum, mainly on account of the more spreading or branching habit of the plant.[, ]. The fibre is finer and stronger than cotton[]. It can be harvested after the leaves fall in the autumn but is probably at its best as the seed pods are forming[].

The plant yields a latex, which is a possible source of rubber[, ]. It is obtained by making incisions on the stem and resembles indiarubber when dry[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer and overwintered outdoors. The seed requires a period of cold stratification if it is to germinate well[]. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring of the following year[].
Division in spring just before active growth begins[]. Plants can also be divided in the autumn[].