Flower:

Clusters of ¼-inch or smaller tubular or bell-shaped flowers. Individual flowers have 5 white or greenish-white petals, fused at the base, the lobes erect or flaring. One plant usually has several clusters, at the top of the plant and at the end of branching stems in the upper part of the plant. The center, terminal flowers in the cluster open first. The clusters start out round then spread out to a broader, more flattened cluster.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are generally oval with a pointed tip, rounded or narrowing at the base, up to 6 inches long and 2½ inches wide with smooth edges and white or cream colored veins. There is usually a short but distinct leaf stalk, most noticeable on the branches, though lower leaves may be stalkless. Leaves frequently point up. The underside of the leaves is sometimes slightly hairy. Stems are typically hairless and reddish brown and exude a milky sap when broken. The leaves and stem can have a waxy feel to them.

Fruit:

Fruit is a pair of hanging, slender, slightly curved pods 4 to 8 inches long. Inside are small brown seeds with a tuft of white hair to carry them off in the wind.

Notes:

Indian Hemp and related Clasping Dogbane (Apocynum sibiricum) are very similar, the only noticeable differences are the latter has (mostly) stalkless, clasping leaves and sometimes has yellowish flowers. The dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus) is a phytophagus (plant eating) insect that feeds exclusively on dogbanes (Apocynum spp.). No matter how you feel about insects, this one is as beautiful as a butterfly, with lovely irridescent green armor.