Plant DetailShow Menu

Spreading Dogbane Apocynum androsaemifolium

Phonetic Spelling
a-POS-ih-num and-row-say-me-fol-ee-um
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Spreading Dogbane is an herbaceous perennial wildflower that is widespread across North America and is found in the mountains of NC in a forest, woodland, forest edge, prairie, meadow or field site. There are numerous small pink, nodding, bell-shaped flowers that are fragrant and striped inside with deeper pink. It grows 2-3 feet tall as a bushy shrub or perennial and spreads quickly from underground rhizomes making it inappropriate for small gardens. 

This plant prefers average to dry conditions in barren sandy to rocky soils but tolerates loams in sunny to shady conditions. It was once thought to be a monarch butterfly host plant but larvae deposited there do not survive. However, the nectar is a good food source for pollinators.

Plant in a woodland or pollinator garden or naturalized areas.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#pink flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#pink flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Apocynum
    Species:
    androsaemifolium
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Fiber from the plant was used by Native Americans as thread
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Follicles are 3-6" long and narrowly cylindrical. They split open at maturity to release small seeds with tufts of hair that are dispersed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Numerous small pink, nodding, bell-like flowers, fragrant and striped inside with deeper pink on terminal cymes. June to Aug.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, oval, opposite leaves 1 1/2"-4" long 1/2"-2" wide, entire margins. Undersides are paler and may have hairs. Acute apex and a rounded base. Yellow fall color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are light green to red, glabrous, and terete containing milky sap.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Cardiac Arrest, nausea, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea. The milky sap from stems can cause blisters on skin.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides and others
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds