Spreading Dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium flowers appear in late June through August with their tiny, bell-shapes forming at the end of stems branching out from the leaf axels and/or from the ends of a leaf branch. Stems are green or red; leaf margins are smooth. The 5-petaled flowers are 1/3 inch long, white to pink with pink stripe markings on the inside of the petals. Leaves are oppositely attached.
Toxic to dogs and mammals in general, dogbane’s stem secretes a sticky resin. The milky juice contains cardiac glycosides which can be very toxic if ingested. The plant’s nectar, however, attracts monarch butterflies and many other pollinators finding in dogbane a reliable food source.
Spreading dogbane is native to Minnesota along with another species in this same genus called ‘Indian hemp’ (or Hemp/Prairie Dogbane) presenting many similar characteristics. Our native milkweeds are also members of the Dogbane family (though not in the same genus). Growing up to 3 feet tall, spreading dogbane would be a pretty addition to a garden planted against a foundation perhaps, or in the back of a border bed. The leaves of this perennial turn a brilliant yellow in fall. Since ‘spreading’ is in its name, do be aware that some maintenance will likely be needed as is certainly the case with Indian hemp.
The dogbanes are an important tradition for Tribal nations of N. America for medicine, household/handicrafts and for weaponry. A bow’s drawstring, for example, requires extreme tension when strung, and even more when drawn, and one might assume that sinew was the best for this use. However, plant fibers such as from dogbane — while more labor intensive — produce cords that are superior to those made with animal fiber because they are stronger while at the same time resisting stretching even in damp conditions. The bark (pun intended) of the dogbane stem contains fibrous materials that can be peeled and rolled to a fine filament. In addition to bow drawstrings, the fibers can be used to make fishing lines, and threads to adorn weaving. The fiber is best harvested from the stalks in autumn.
Like many species specific host/parasite relationships (such as the goldenrod gallfly), dogbanes (and occasionally milkweeds) host the dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus) as their special guest. Adults shine with a beautifully colorful metallic sheen as they feed on the leaves, while their larvae feed on the roots — in fact, their entire life cycle depends on their host keeping the welcome mat out.