
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Apocynum |
| Family: | Apocynaceae (Dogbane) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; dry, open woods, woodland edges, thickets, roadsides |
| Bloom season: | June - August |
| Plant height: | 1 to 3 feet |
| County distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Bell-shaped flower, pink to white with pink stripes on the inside, 1/3 inch long, with 5 flaring lobes that curl back. Flowers are in groups of 2 to 10 at the end of stems that branch out from the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant, or at the end of a leaf branch.
Leaves are 1½ to 4 inches long and up to 2 inches wide, generally oval with pointed tips and a short leaf stalk. They are toothless, usually hairy underneath, sometimes have a slightly wavy edge, and may be drooping. Attachment is opposite. The branching stems are often more horizontal than erect, as if under too much weight from the flowers. Stems are green or red.
Fruit is a slender pod 2 to 6 inches long that ripens from green to a dull red.
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Spreading Dogbane plant, about 3 feet tall
a dense patch of Spreading Dogbane
structure of Spreading Dogbane plant
more flowers
developing seed
fall color Photos by K. Chayka taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, and along a roadside in Cass County. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka and Aitkin counties.
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
Found a patch in my yard. What a surprise!
We have 160 acres that hasn't been farmed since the 1950's. The wildflowers are making quite a comeback and the side of one huge hill is covered with these. When you get hundreds of plants together they have a very sweet smell.
on: 2009-08-20 14:17:56
Grows along the Heartland Trail.