General: Indianhemp (Apocynum cannabinum) is a tall, perennial, wetland forb that grows upright on straight stems that can be green or red. The leaves are yellow-green above and below, opposite, ascending, about 3 inches long, clasping or not, and can be broad or narrow. Five-petaled, white flowers are produced in clusters at the end of the stems. Seed pods are long and narrow, and they produce plumed seeds that can drift on the wind.

Indianhemp is an uncommon component of wetland communities in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland), and Transition (Yellow Pine Forest) life zones. Around Las Vegas, look for this species along desert streams and lakes, such as in Calico Basin (Red Rock Canyon NCA) and along the shoreline of lakes in Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

This plant is poisonous: do not eat!

Family: Dogbane (Apocynaceae).

Other Names: Indian Hemp, dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, rheumatism root, wild cotton.

Plant Form: Tall, upright, perennial forb.

Height: To about 4(7) feet tall.

Stems: Ascending to erect, branched towards the top, green to red in color.

Leaves: Blade to about 3 inches, veins prominent; petiole short. Blades narrow-ovate to lanceolate.

Flowers: Blooms during early to mid-summer. Inflorescence: cyme with many flowers. Flowers bell-shaped to about 1/3 inch. White. Petals 5.

Seeds: narrow, pointed, with a large cottony plume

Habitat: General, but not limited to, wetlands habitats.

Elevation: About 500 to 6,000 feet.

Distribution: Throughout the US and Canada.

Comments: This plant is poisonous: all parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. The stems contain a milky latex that can be a skin irritant. Acts to damage the heart, respiratory, and urinary systems.

The bark yields a good quality fiber that can substitute for flax. Used by native people for cordage and clothing.