Apocynum androsaemifolium
| Apocynum androsaemifolium | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Apocynum androsaemifolium (common name: spreading dogbane)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer and overwintered outdoors. The seed requires a period of cold stratification if it is to germinate well[1]. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring of the following year[K].
Division in spring just before active growth begins[2]. Plants can also be divided in the autumn[1].
Cultivation: Prefers an acid peaty soil[3] but it succeeds in sun or shade in most well-drained soils and climates[4][2].
A very ornamental plant[3], but it can be invasive[2].
The flowers the flowers secrete a sweet liquid that is very attractive to flies[5]. The flies are then imprisoned by their proboscis which becomes trapped between the short filaments of the stamens[6].
Range: Northern N. America.
Habitat: Open woodland, woodland edges etc, usually on drier soils[7][8].
Medicinal: Spreading dogbane is an unpleasantly bitter stimulant irritant herb that acts on the heart, respiratory and urinary systems, and also on the uterus[1]. It was widely employed by the native North American Indians who used it to treat a wide variety of complaints including headaches, convulsions, earache, heart palpitations, colds, insanity and dizziness[9]. It should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner if taking this plant internally[10][1]. The root contains cymarin, a cardioactive glycoside that is toxic to ruminants[11].
The root is cardiotonic, cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and expectorant[3][5][10][12][11]. It has a powerful action in slowing the pulse and also has a very strong action on the vaso-motor system, it is rather an irritant to the mucous membranes though, so some people cannot tolerate it[5].
The juice of the fresh root has been used in the treatment of syphilis[6]. The sap of the plant has been applied externally to get rid of warts[9].
The roots were boiled in water and the water drunk once a week in order to prevent conception[13].
The green fruits were boiled and the decoction used in the treatment of heart and kidney problems and for the treatment of dropsy[13]. This preparation can irritate the intestines and cause unpleasant side-effects[13].
Usage: The bark yields a good quality fibre that is used for making twine, bags, linen etc[5][14][15][9]. It is inferior to A. cannabinum[14]. The fibre is finer and stronger than cotton[6]. It can be harvested after the leaves fall in the autumn but is probably at its best as the seed pods are forming[4].
The plant yields a latex, which is a possible source of rubber[16][12]. It is obtained by making incisions on the stem and resembles indiarubber when dry[5].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[3][8].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Arnberger, Leslie. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments, 1968.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.