Species PlantsCommon Dogbane

Common Dogbane

Apocynum cannabinum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Common Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
Safety note: Toxic to humans and many animals if ingested; sap can irritate skin.

Common Dogbane is a native perennial with milky sap and small pink bell-shaped flowers that is closely related to milkweeds. Its fibrous stems were used by indigenous peoples to make string, rope, and fabric. Monarch butterflies and many other insects visit the flowers, and the plant supports specialist milkweed insects.

Habitat
Roadsides, old fields, thickets, and forest edges across North America
Diet
Nectar consumed by monarchs, beetles, bees, and many other insects
How common
Common

Best time to see a Common Dogbane

The best time to see a Common Dogbane is May–July, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 38,815 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Common Dogbane? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Common Dogbane sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Common Dogbane? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Common Dogbane is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Common Eelgrass
Common Eelgrass
Zostera marina
Common Evening Primrose
Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Common Hackberry
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Common Hops
Common Hops
Humulus lupulus
Common Hoptree
Common Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
Common Ironweed
Common Ironweed
Vernonia fasciculata
Common Juniper
Common Juniper
Juniperus communis
Common Lousewort
Common Lousewort
Pedicularis canadensis