Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, VA
Silver Lake Park, Haymarket, VA
Silver Lake Park, Haymarket, VA
Manasssa National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
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Family: Apocynaceae
Mid-Atlantic bloom time:
May - July
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe:
August - October
Dogbane is often found in fields, open woods, and disturbed areas. Although superficially similar to milkweeds, it can be quickly distinguished by its branching habit and brown stems. All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the milky latex that oozes from broken stems which can cause skin blisters. The genus name Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs", as does its common name "dogbane". The species epithet cannabinum, and several of its common names, refer to its use as a fiber source, similar to hemp made from cannibis.
The plant is a larval host for several moths, including the humminbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis).
Despite (or maybe because of) its toxicity, Dogbane has been used in herbal medicines for a variety of purposes.
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26 July 2015
Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, VA
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2 June 2019
Silver Lake Park, Haymarket, VA
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2 June 2019
Silver Lake Park, Haymarket, VA
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24 August 2019
Manasssa National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
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