Apocynum sibiricum (Clasping Dogbane)
Also known as: | Prairie Dogbane |
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Genus: | Apocynum |
Family: | Apocynaceae (Dogbane) |
Life cycle: | perennial |
Origin: | native |
Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist soil, ditches, along roads, prairies |
Bloom season: | June - August |
Plant height: | 1 to 4 feet |
Wetland Indicator Status: | none |
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
National distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
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Detailed Information
Flower:
Clusters of ¼-inch or smaller tubular or bell-shaped
flowers. Individual flowers have 5 white, greenish or yellowish 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 sharply pointed tip, rounded or heart-shaped
at the base, 2 to 6 inches long and to 2½ inches wide with smooth edges
and white or cream colored veins. Leaves are mostly stalkless or with a minute stalk (especially on upper leaves), usually clasping the stem with the rounded leaf bases overlapping on the leaf pairs. 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:
Clasping Dogbane and the related Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum) are very similar, the only noticeable difference is the latter typically has longer stalked leaves (but not always!). Clasping Dogbane may also grow up to 4 feet tall but is often 2 to 3 feet. In some references, Apocynum sibiricum is considered the same species as Apocynum cannabinum, but Flora of North America, our definitive reference, treats them as separate species.Please visit our sponsors
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More photos
Clasping Dogbane plant
more plants
a stand of Clasping Dogbane plants
more flowers
still more plants
Photos by K. Chayka taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Polk, Douglas and Anoka counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2015-06-26 19:47:41
Saw clasping dogbane for the first time today close to the water by the boat landing on Sivertson Lake. The flowers were just opening. Lovely!
on: 2017-06-18 19:23:52
I have several stands in my gardens for >20 years. It is fragrant, a bit like the Japanese tree lilac which is also in bloom at this time. It is very tough and invasive and require's yearly digs to keep it in bounds..
on: 2017-06-30 10:21:33
Plentiful on the Lake's west side this June.
on: 2018-06-05 16:38:01
Growing on restored prairie along dirt road.
on: 2018-07-15 18:44:31
Northwestern Grant county along the roadside.
on: 2019-07-21 22:47:03
This area was planted with a native seed mixture for CRP. Can’t find the original seed mixture info. This field was planted about 5 years ago.
on: 2020-06-20 17:53:17
Veritable explosion of this plant in our area this year, both in a boggy area near the Saint Mary's Point Park and along Saint Croix Trail South, along the bike path.
on: 2020-06-20 19:00:07
Casey, more likely you have its relative, Indian hemp.
on: 2022-07-29 23:36:46
In the ditch at the Bowstring River outlet from Little Bowstring Lake, on the west side of Alder Road.