Apocynum cannabinum
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Photo courtesy Renee Brecht |
Britton & Brown |
| Botanical name: | Apocynum cannabinum Greene. |
| Common name: | Indian hemp |
| Group: | dicot |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Growth type: | forb/herb |
| Duration: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Plant height: | 2 - 6'' |
| Foliage: | small elliptical leaves, app 2-4" long, opposite; milky juice |
| Flower: | small, erect white |
| Flowering time: | bloom early June to late August; fruits September and October |
| Habitat: | thivkets, borders of woods, stream banks, open areas |
| Range in New Jersey: | statewide but variety pubescens is confined ito the Pine barrens |
| Heritage ranking, if any: | n/a |
| Distribution: |  |
| Misc. | The fiber has historically been used for making fishing nets,
strings, ropes, and cordage. Some Native American women used it as
"itatamat", which entailed tying knots on hemp lines to mark
important events, such as death, births, etc. It was then rolled into a
ball. For more interesting facts on A. cannabinum, see the USDA plant guide |