Apocynum
Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apocynum, commonly known as dogbane[2] or Indian hemp,[2] is a small genus of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae. Its name comes from Ancient Greek ἀπόκυνον,[3] from ἀπο- apo- "away" and κύων kyōn "dog",[4] referring to dogbane (Cionura erecta),[5] which was used to poison dogs.[6] The genus is native to North America, temperate Asia, and southeastern Europe.[1][7][8]
Apocynum | |
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Apocynum androsaemifolium | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Apocynaceae |
Subfamily: | Apocynoideae |
Tribe: | Apocyneae |
Genus: | Apocynum L. |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the mouse moth and the queen butterfly.
Uses
Apocynum cannabinum is used as a source of fiber by Native Americans. Apocynum venetum (Chinese: 羅布麻) is used as an herbal tea in China.[9] Dogbane contains cymarin, a cardiotonic agent formerly used to treat cardiac arrhythmia in humans.[10]
Species
Almost 300 names have been proposed in the genus for species, subspecies, and forms.[1] As of 2019[update], only the following five species and hybrids are currently recognized, with several subspecies and varieties accepted for A. androsaemifolium and A. venetum (see their respective species pages).[11]
- Apocynum androsaemifolium L. – Canada, United States, northeastern Mexico
- Apocynum cannabinum L. – Canada, United States
- Apocynum × floribundum Greene (a hybrid of A. androsaemifolium and A. cannabinum) – Canada, United States, northern Mexico
- Apocynum pictum Schrenk – China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
- Apocynum venetum L. – southeastern Europe and Asia
- Flowers of Apocynum cannabinum
- Leaves of Apocynum androsaemifolium
References
External links
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