- Apocynum
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Apocynum 
Apocynum cannabinum Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Apocynum
L.Species See text.
Apocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus of the plant family of the Apocynaceae with seven species. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog,[1] attributed to its toxicity (see Uses section). The genus occurs throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, except for western Europe.
Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Mouse Moth.
- Selected species
- Apocynum androsaemifolium (Spreading Dogbane)
- Apocynum cannabinum (Dogbane or Indian Hemp; North America)
- Apocynum hendersonii (Northern Asia)
- Apocynum medium (Intermediate dogbane)
- Apocynum pictum (Chinese Dogbane; Eastern Asia)
- Apocynum sibiricum (Siberian Dogbane; Northern Asia)
- Apocynum venetum (European Dogbane; Eastern Europe, Asia)
Uses
Apocynum cannabinum was used as a source of fiber by Native Americans. And Apocynum venetum (Chinese: 羅布麻) is used as the herbal tea in China.[citation needed] Dogbane contains cymarin, a cardiogenic toxin that causes cardiac arrhythmia in humans. Cymarin is used in modern medicine in copiously formulated pharmaceutical preparations used to treat a variety of tumors[citation needed].
References
- Treatment from the Jepson Manual
- "Apocynum". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=30155.
- UVSC Herbarium - Apocynum
- Edible and Medicinal plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
- ^ http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/coopext/plantdetail.do?sna=Apocynum+androsaemifolium&image=0 Colorado Plant Database
External links
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