Apocynum
Encyclopedia
Apocynum, commonly known as Dogbane and Indian Hemp, is a genus
of the plant family of the Apocynaceae
with seven species
. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity (see Uses section). The genus occurs throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere
, except for western Europe
.
Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larva
e of some Lepidoptera
species including Mouse Moth
.
Selected species
was used as a source of fiber by Native Americans
. And Apocynum venetum is used as the herbal tea in China
. Dogbane contains cymarin
, a cardiogenic toxin that causes cardiac arrhythmia in humans. Cymarin
is used in modern medicine in copiously formulated pharmaceutical preparations used to treat a variety of tumors.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the plant family of the Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae
The Apocynaceae or dogbane family is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas.Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforests, and most are from the tropics and subtropics, but some grow in tropical dry, xeric environments. There are also perennial herbs...
with seven species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. From the Greek: apo, away; cyno, dog, attributed to its toxicity (see Uses section). The genus occurs throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
, except for western Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Apocynum species are used as food plants by the larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of some Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
species including Mouse Moth
Mouse Moth
The Mouse Moth is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a very widespread species with a Holarctic distribution.This is a rather drab but distinctive species. The forewings are uniform dark brown with three blackish spots arranged in a triangle. The hindwings are buffish, darker towards the...
.
Selected species
- Apocynum androsaemifoliumApocynum androsaemifoliumApocynum androsaemifolium is a flowering plant. Milky sap appears on broken stems. Leaf margin is entire and leaf veination is alternate. Its leaves appear as pointed ovals, while...
(Spreading Dogbane) - Apocynum cannabinumApocynum cannabinumApocynum cannabinum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America - in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs"...
(Dogbane or Indian Hemp; North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
) - Apocynum hendersonii (Northern AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
) - Apocynum mediumApocynum mediumApocynum medium, the Intermediate dogbane, is a member of family Apocynaceae.Intermediate dogbane is thought to be a hybrid, from other dogbane species because its characteristics are intermediate between A. cannabinum and A. androsaemifolium .- External links :* *...
(Intermediate dogbane) - Apocynum pictum (Chinese Dogbane; Eastern Asia)
- Apocynum sibiricum (Siberian Dogbane; Northern AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
) - Apocynum venetum (European Dogbane; Eastern EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia)
Uses
Apocynum cannabinumApocynum cannabinum
Apocynum cannabinum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America - in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is a poisonous plant: Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs"...
was used as a source of fiber by Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
. And Apocynum venetum is used as the herbal tea in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Dogbane contains cymarin
Cymarin
Cymarin is a cardiac glycoside. Apocynum cannabinum used as a source of fiber by Native Americans and Apocynum venetum used as a herbal tea in China both contain cymarin. Cymarin is a cardiogenic toxin that causes cardiac arrhythmia in humans. Cymarin is used in modern medicine in formulated...
, a cardiogenic toxin that causes cardiac arrhythmia in humans. Cymarin
Cymarin
Cymarin is a cardiac glycoside. Apocynum cannabinum used as a source of fiber by Native Americans and Apocynum venetum used as a herbal tea in China both contain cymarin. Cymarin is a cardiogenic toxin that causes cardiac arrhythmia in humans. Cymarin is used in modern medicine in formulated...
is used in modern medicine in copiously formulated pharmaceutical preparations used to treat a variety of tumors.