Flower ID: IMG_6778.JPG-06-21-2023 Flower name (scientific): Apocynum androsaemifolium Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) a-POS-ih-num and-row-say-me-fol-ee-um Flower name (common): Spreading Dogbane Family name (common): Dogbane Family name (scientific): Apocynaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek apo for away from and kyon for dog, hence dogbane. Assumed to be poisonous to dogs. Specific epithet: Having leaves like Androsaemum, which is an old synonym name name now replaced by Hypericum. Common name origin: From the wide-spread of the plant and it being assumed to be a dog poison. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white or pink Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-cyme Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 90 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblong-lanceolate to oblong-ovate (IL), ovate to elliptic (MP) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, savannas, woods, fields, thickets, roadsides, dry, sandy soil, semi-shade to sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Menominee used the outer rind of this plant to prepare a fine thread material that was employed to make bow strings and rope. The plant stalk was used as an aid in hunting (Smith, pp. 74, 79, 1923). The Meskwaki used the roots of this species to prepare a medicine for dropsy. The plant also provides material to produce a bast thread (Smith, pp. 201, 267, 1928). The Ojibwe used the stalk and roots to prepare a tea that was used by women during pregnancy to aid the kidney function. The plant was also use by the tribe for the treament of headaches and throat issues. The outer rind provided a fiber for sewing and the roots were used in witchcraft (Smith, pp. 354-355, 413, 428, 1932). Latitude: 44.794052 Longitude: -91.526625 Altitude: 196.50 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Apocynum androsaemifolium subsp. androsaemifolium (The other infraspecifics are Apocynum androsaemifolium var. griseum (Greene) Béguinot & Belosersky, Apocynum androsaemifolium var. incanum Alphonse de Candolle, Apocynum androsaemifolium var. intermedium Woodson, Apocynum androsaemifolium subsp. pumilum (A. Gray) B. Boivin, Apocynum androsaemifolium var. tomentellum (Greene) B. Boivin, Apocynum androsaemifolium var. woodsonii B. Boivin. These six infraspecifics all occur in the US and but variety intermedium occur in Canada.) Wetland Status (NC): UPL Wetland Status (MW): UPL