Wildlife Gardening/Taxon/Apocynum cannabinum

Apocynum cannabinum also known as Indian hemp or dogbane an herbaceous plant widely distributed across North America. It can be found from southern Canada south through the continental United States, especially in coarse, moist soils. It serves as a host plant to hummingbird moths and provides nectar for many other insects.

Flower and leaves.

All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. It is also toxic to dogs and livestock.

Nomenclature

Apocynum cannabinum (dogbane, amy root, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, Indian hemp, rheumatism root, or wild cotton).

Apocynum album, A. angustifolium, A. arenarium, A. bebbianum, A. bolanderi, A. breweri, A. canadense, A. carolinii, A. cervinum, A. cinereum, A. cordigerum, A. cuspidatum, A. densiflorum, A. dictyotum, A. dimidiatum, A. estellinum, A. farwellii, A. greeneanum, A. hypericifolium, A. isophyllum, A. ithacense, A. laurinum, A. littorale, A. longifolium, A. macounii, A. missouriense, A. myrianthum, A. nemorale, A. neogeum, A. nevadense, A. oblongum, A. oliganthum, A. palustre, A. piscatorium, A. platyphyllum, A. procerum, A. pubescens, A. purpureum, A. salignum, A. sibiricum, A. subuligerum, A. suksdorfii, A. thermale, A. tomentulosum, A. venetum, Cynopaema cannabinum, Cynopaema hypericifolium, Forsteronia pavonii,

Description

Apocynum cannabinum grows up to Template:Cvt tall. The stems are reddish and contain a milky latex capable of causing skin blisters. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lanceolate, Template:Cvt long and Template:Cvt broad, entire, and smooth on top with white hairs on the underside. It flowers from July to August, has large sepals, and a five-lobed white corolla. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by moths and butterflies.

Gallery

• 
  Egg
• 
  Close-up of egg just prior to hatching
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  Caterpillar
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  Chrysalis
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  An adult male.
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  Ventral side of wings

Identification

See dedicated page: Identification

The monarch is closely related to several similar-looking butterfly species whose ranges abut or overlap with its own. It also has a Müllerian mimic, the viceroy, whose similar toxicity and coloration discourages predators from hunting either species.

Taxa similar to monarchs
Similar caterpillar	Similar chrysalis	Similar adult	Distinctions
Danaus erippus, or southern monarch. Caterpillar pictured.	D. erippus chrysalis.	D. erippus adult.	Brief note on connection between taxon and article taxon, caterpillar distinctions, chrysalis distinctions, adult distinctions.

Discourage

Antagonistic arthropod taxa

Antagonistic arthropods of monarchs
Taxon	Behavior	Food	Reproduction	Safety	Water	Notes
Harmonia axyridis, the Asian ladybeetle. Color variations pictured.	4 !	4 !	4 !	2 !	4 !	The Asian ladybeetle will eat very young caterpillars as both larvae and adults. Information on native range or any other factor that might influence monarchs' likelihood of attracting this species to a garden.
Hymenoptera, the order including wasps. Vespula maculifrons, or the eastern yellowjacket pictured.	4 !	4 !	4 !	2 !	4 !	A variety of wasps will prey upon caterpillars. Information on native range or any other factor that might influence monarchs' likelihood of attracting this species to a garden.
Tenodera sinensis, the Chinese mantis. Male pictured.	4 !	4 !	4 !	2 !	4 !	Preys upon caterpillars and avoids being poisoned by not eating its prey's digestive tract and the processed milkweed material it contains. Information on native range or any other factor that might influence monarchs' likelihood of attracting this species to a garden.

Utilize

For taxa whose presence in the garden is enouraged without being harmed by article taxon use tables like above but from the pov of the attracted taxon

Beneficiary lepidopterans of Indian hemp
Taxon	Behavior	Food	Reproduction	Safety	Water	Notes
Cycnia tenera, or dogbane tiger moth. Adult pictured.	4 !	6 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	Caterpillar host plant. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.
Danaus plexippus, or monarch. Adult male pictured.	4 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	4 !	Nectar source. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.
Hemaris diffinis, the snowberry clearwing. Adult pictured.	4 !	6 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	Caterpillar host plant. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.
Hemaris thysbe, the hummingbird clearwing. Adult pictured.	4 !	6 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	Caterpillar host plant. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.
Marmara apocynella. Adult pictured.	4 !	6 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	Caterpillar host plant. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.
Melanchra picta, or zebra caterpillar. Caterpillar pictured.	4 !	6 !	6 !	4 !	4 !	Caterpillar host plant. Information on native range, cultivation requirements, bloom time and any other criteria that might lead a gardener to select this species over the others.