Amy Root, Apocynum cannabinum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-POS-ih-num kan-na-BEE-num
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Indian Hemp is a bushy member of the dogbane family that may grow to 5 feet tall. All parts of this plant exude a milky juice when bruised and all plant parts are considered highly toxic to humans. and mammals. This plant typically grows in the wild in dry rocky or open woods, glades and prairies, as well as powerline cuts and roadsides. Stems are fibrous and were important to Native Americans for making rope products.
Indian hemp will adapt to almost any soil type and prefers full sun. It can grow aggressively and is good for erosion control on slopes and stream banks. It is not recommended for garden use due to its aggressive behavior. The nectar-rich flowers are small and non-showy but very attractive to pollinators.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Apocynum
- Species:
- cannabinum
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used by Native Americans and in herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Fibers were used as thread for sewing or to make string, netting and other items.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- All of North America
- Distribution:
- All 48 states plus much of Canada
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers provides nectar to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Non-edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a pair of hanging, slender, slightly curved pods 4 to 8 inches long with small brown seeds with a tuft of white hair to carry them in the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- 1-3 inch wide terminal panicles of greenish-white tubular or bell-shaped flowers. Individual flowers 1/4 inch. Additional clusters occur in the upper leaf axils. Flower blooms from May to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin. The lower leaves will have a short stem, while the upper leaves are sessile. The leaves are 1 to 3-inches wide and half as much across. They are ovate to elliptical. The undersides have hairs. Yellow color in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is smooth and red with a milky sap inside. It has ascending branches near the top of the stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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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:
- Resins and cardiac glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
