Indian Hemp

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region

Cultivation

A 2-4' tall plant with reddish stems and greenish white flowers that can spread aggressively.
Light: sun
Moisture and Soil: dry to moist

Biocultural value

Many Native American groups used (and still use) hemp dogbane's fibrous inner and outer bark to make cordage, cloth, mats, bowstrings and nets. The plant also had a wide range of medicinal uses. The Haudenosaunee employed the roots as a blood purifier, emetic, eye medicine, gastrointestinal aid, laxative and antidiarrheal medication. Many other groups used the plant to treat everything from whooping cough to worms. The Isleta even mixed the plant's gummy sap with clay and used it as chewing gum.

Wildlife value

Hemp dogbane's nectariferous flower attract a plethora of insects, including cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), Halictid bees, plasterer bees (Colletes spp.), masked bees (Hylaeus spp.), Sphecid wasps, Syrphid flies, bee flies (Bombyliidae), Tachinid flies, Calliphorid flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Hemp dgobane is a larval host plant for multiple moth species. Other insect feeders include larvae and adults of the Dogbane Beetle (Chrysochus auratus), larvae of the Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), larvae of the Dogbane Flower Midge (Clinodiplosis apocyni), the Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), and an aphid (Aphis asclepiadis). Mammalian herbivores avoid the toxic foliage.

Poisonous

yes

Poisonous description

Hemp dogbane's unpleasant taste discourages animals and humans alike. Those who do ingest the plant are poisoned by the toxic glycoside apocynamarin.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Coy Glen, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, Fischer Old-growth Forest, Salt Road Fen, South Hill Swamp

Status

L4|S5|G5