Native Flowers Apocynum cannabinum

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Apocynum cannabinum

*Indian Hemp*

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Most photos by Ann Grandy and Sally J.A.Finzel, unless otherwise noted to the left. Please ask for permission before using images.

Soil: (Xeric)Dry to Mesic(Medium)
Sun: Full
Height: 2-6'
Color: Greenish pink
Blooms: Jun-Aug
Flowers: The flowers are rather tubular with 5 petal-like sepals and no petals.
Leaves: The opposite leaves are about 2-3 inches long and elliptical to oblong. They can be either attached directly to the main flower stem or have short leaf stalks (petioles).

Suggested Uses:

This is an excellent butterfly attractor! It is the larval host and source of nectar for the Monarch Butterfly. It's strong fiber can be woven. Grows in fields open thickets and along shores.

Interesting Facts

Medicinal Uses: Indian Hemp can be toxic, but tea from the roots has been used for: headache, earache, nausea, insanity, dropsy, jaundice, nervousness, worms, diarrhea, constipation, and urinary difficulties. The tea also raises blood pressure and strengthens the heartbeat. A wash from the root relieves dandruff. Alcoholism is also said to be cured by the tea of the Indian Hemp, and the juice from the stem is believed to cure warts.
Food Uses: Poisonous
Other Uses: The most important use of Indian Hemp is as cordage. In the fall, the plants are harvested and split open to reveal long fibers. These fibers are twisted into string which are used for everything from clothing, to baskets, to bags, to fishing nets strong enough to catch and hold very large fish.
More Info: Can become weedy.
Other Names: Dogbane, milkweed, honeybloom, bitter root, black hemp, hemp dogbane, lechuguilla, westernwall

USDA PLANTS Database profile page

Option	Price	Quantity
3 1/2-inch pots	$4.25
6-pack	$6.95
5 3/4-inch pots	$7.95

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Do not use native plants for food or medicine based on the information in this website. The information listed here is included for entertainment only, not as a recommendation. Please do not eat any native plants!

Morning Sky Greenery is a Minnesota Native Plant Nursery, growing native plants for shoreline restoration, raingardens and infiltration basins, and backyard butterfly, birdwatcher and pollinator gardens. We carry many native plants of North America, specifically midwest varieties. We have the expertise and the plants available to make any size native landscape or garden project a success!

MN Native Wildflowers and Grasses • Native Prairie Plants • Native Plants of North America &bull Shoreline Restoration &bull Native Raingardens