Apocynaceae

(Dogbane family)  

Herbs with milky, acrid juice, entire opposite leaves (like milkweed except lack of corona in flower). Four genera, 10 + species. Common genera: Vinca (periwinkle), Apocynum (dogbane).  

Apocynum cannabinum

Hemp Dogbane

Perennial. Stems erect, one to three feet tall from woody, horizontal rootstocks, with milky sap. Leaves smooth, elliptical, narrow, erect. Flowers small, with five greenish-white petals. Seed pod long and slender, curved. Seed with soft, silky hairs on one end. Found

in old fields and wasteland.