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Apocynum androsaemifolium
  • Spreading Dogbane

a perennial member of the Apocynum genus in the family Apocynaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Apocynum androsaemifolium has 0 material uses listed
Apocynum androsaemifolium has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous[1][2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Apocynum androsaemifolium.

Material uses

The bark yields a good quality fibre that is used for making twine, bags, linen etc[3][4][5][6]. It is inferior to A. cannabinum[4]. The fibre is finer and stronger than cotton[7]. It can be harvested after the leaves fall in the autumn but is probably at its best as the seed pods are forming[8]. The plant yields a latex, which is a possible source of rubber[9][10]. It is obtained by making incisions on the stem and resembles indiarubber when dry[3].

Unknown part

Fibre
Latex

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Spreading dogbane is an unpleasantly bitter stimulant irritant herb that acts on the heart, respiratory and urinary systems, and also on the uterus[11]. 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[6]. It should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner if taking this plant internally[12][11]. The root contains cymarin, a cardioactive glycoside that is toxic to ruminants[13].

The root is cardiotonic, cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and expectorant[1][3][12][10][13]. 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[3]. The juice of the fresh root has been used in the treatment of syphilis[7]. The sap of the plant has been applied externally to get rid of warts[6]. The roots were boiled in water and the water drunk once a week in order to prevent conception[14].

The green fruits were boiled and the decoction used in the treatment of heart and kidney problems and for the treatment of dropsy[14]. This preparation can irritate the intestines and cause unpleasant side-effects[14].

Unknown part

Cardiotonic
Cathartic
Contraceptive
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emetic
Expectorant
VD

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[11]. 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[K]. Division in spring just before active growth begins[15]. Plants can also be divided in the autumn[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Apocynum androsaemifolium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers an acid peaty soil[1] but it succeeds in sun or shade in most well-drained soils and climates[8][15].

A very ornamental plant[1], but it can be invasive[15].

The flowers the flowers secrete a sweet liquid that is very attractive to flies[3]. The flies are then imprisoned by their proboscis which becomes trapped between the short filaments of the stamens[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Apocynum androsaemifolium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Apocynum androsaemifolium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Genus
Apocynum
Family
Apocynaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[11][6][12][13][1][3][10][7][14]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[16][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (1968-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    16. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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    Facts about "Apocynum androsaemifolium"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyApocynaceae +
    Belongs to genusApocynum +
    Has binomial nameApocynum androsaemifolium +
    Has common nameSpreading Dogbane +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageApocynum androsaemifolium var androsaemifolium 3.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFibre + and Latex +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useCardiotonic +, Cathartic +, Contraceptive +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant + and VD +
    Has primary imageApocynum androsaemifolium var androsaemifolium 3.jpg +
    Has search nameapocynum androsaemifolium + and spreading dogbane +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameApocynum androsaemifolium +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium +, Apocynum androsaemifolium + and Apocynum androsaemifolium +