Apocynum cannabinum (
Dogbane,
Amy Root,
Hemp Dogbane,
Prairie Dogbane,
Indian Hemp,
Rheumatism Root, or
Wild Cotton) is a
perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of
North America - in the southern half of
Canada and throughout the
United States. It is a
poisonous plant:
Apocynum means "poisonous to dogs". All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. The
cannabinum in the scientific name and the common names
Hemp Dogbane and
Indian Hemp refer to its similarity to
Cannabis as a fiber plant (see
Hemp), rather than as a source of a psychoactive drug (see
Cannabis (drug))