Black Indian hemp, Hemp Dogbane, Canadian hemp
Apocynum cannabinum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has milky sap. It grows 1 m high and spreads 50 cm wide.

There are 4-9 Apocynum species. It is used in medicine for heart disease as a substitute to digitalis.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It needs a well-drained moist soil. It can grow in sun or light shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Canada, Europe, Korea, North America, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

Caution: The leaves are poisonous. It has a drug similar to digitalis the heart stimulant. The rootstock is used in medicine. The seeds have been eaten. The latex has been used as a chewing gum.

Edible parts

Seeds, caution - poisonous

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need cold treatment to germinate well.

Its other names

Local names

Wihowi

Synonyms

Apocynum angustifolium Wooton; and many others