Spreading dogbane
General poisoning notes:
Spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) is a native herb found across Canada. This plant has been reported to cause serious poisoning potential in cattle, horses, and sheep after ingestion (Johnson and Archer 1922). This information was credited to a report from the Arizona Experiment Station and to an article that was erroneously stated to be about Apocynum. However, that article actually concerned Nerium(oleander) poisoning of livestock. Therefore, the various signs and symptoms attributed to dogbane poisoning since 1922 are usually based on this mistake (Kingsbury 1959).
Description
Erect stem with many branches spreading from ground. Milky sap oozes when stem is cut. Leaves opposite on stems, 1 1/2–2 1/2 in. long, with petioles shorter than blade. Leaf blade widely oval, with rounded tip, somewhat drooping to horizontal, dark green above, lighter below. Flowers in terminal clusters, small, bell-shaped, pink, rose, or white with pink stripes; lobes spreading or curved backward. Grows in rocky places, dry open areas in conifer forests and adjacent shrub-steppe and prairies, at low to subalpine elevations.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Apocynum androsaemifolium L.
Vernacular name(s): spreading dogbane
Scientific family name: Apocynaceae
Vernacular family name: dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium L.
Geographic Information
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory.
Toxic parts:
Rhizome.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Experimental evidence shows that spreading dogbane contains apocynamarin, a cardiac glycoside, as well as other glycosides and resins. These chemicals have caused sickness and death when administered cats and dogs. The potential for poisoning therefore exists (Moore
Toxic plant chemicals:
Apocynamarin.
Apocynamarin
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cats
General symptoms of poisoning:
Blood pressure, high, death.
Dogs
General symptoms of poisoning:
Death, vomiting.
Horses
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Convulsions, death, diarrhea, sweating, urination, frequent, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
The root of spreading dogbane has been used for medicinal purposes. Excessive doses of the extracts apparently cause sickness and death in humans (Fleurbec 1981).
