Dogbane

Dogbane family (Apocynaceae family):

Apocynum androsaemifolium L.

EPPO code:

APCAN

Other names:

Spreading dogbane

Species information

Lifecycle:

Perennial.

Propagation:

Reproduces by seed and by spreading underground rhizomes.

Emergence:

Seed germinates in early spring and into summer.

Habitat:

Dogbane is found in a variety of habitats, including cultivated fields. It is, however, more likely to be found in no-till or minimum-till cropping systems.

Competitiveness:

When compared to annual dicot weeds, like lamb’s-quarters, dogbane causes less crop yield loss, but it does reduce harvest efficiency. The milky sap affects crop quality; it also contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause livestock poisoning (United States Department of Agriculture, 2006).

Identification clues

Seedling

Cotyledons:

Linear to elongated.

Young leaves:

Ovate, opposite orientation on the stem.

Mature leaves:

While they look similar to its younger leaves, dogbane’s mature leaves are larger and have a prominent, white mid-vein and its underside has fine hairs.

Mature plant

Stems:

Its stem is erect, hairless, and often red to greenish-red in colour. When its leaves are pulled from the stem, dogbane exudes a milky sap.

Flowers:

Clustered at the end of stems, whitish to pinkish and bell shaped.

Seeds:

Light brown and slender, dogbane’s seeds are attached to a white silky parachute.

Roots:

Very fine roots attached to an extensive spreading rhizome system.

Often mistaken for

I know it's not Milkweed because the leaves of dogbane are narrower; the stem is red compared to the often- green stem of milkweed; and the flowers of dogbane are white compared to the purplish- pink flowers of milkweed.