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).

References:

Fleurbec Inc. 1981. Plantes sauvages comestibles. Le groupe Fleurbec Inc., Sainte-Cuthbert, Que, Canada. 167 pp.

Fuller, T. C., McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous plants of California. Univ. California Press, Berkeley, Calif., USA. 432 pp.

Johnson, E. P., Archer, W. A. 1922. The principal stock-poisoning plants of New Mexico. N. M. Agric. Ext. Serv. Circ., 71. 40 pp.

Kingsbury, J. M. 1959. Toxicity of Apocynum (dogbane) to stock; a correction. Cornell Vet., 49: 285-287.

Moore, C. W. 1909. LXXXV. - The constituents of the rhizome of Apocynum androsaemifolium. J. Chem. Soc. (Lond.), 95: 734-751.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Apocynum androsaemifolium L.

Vernacular name(s): spreading dogbane

Scientific family name: Apocynaceae

Vernacular family name: dogbane

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Apocynum androsaemifolium

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

spreading dogbane:

Images: images.google.com

Toxic parts:

rhizome

References:

Moore, C. W. 1909. LXXXV. - The constituents of the rhizome of Apocynum androsaemifolium. J. Chem. Soc. (Lond.), 95: 734-751.

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

References:

Moore, C. W. 1909. LXXXV. - The constituents of the rhizome of Apocynum androsaemifolium. J. Chem. Soc. (Lond.), 95: 734-751.

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

References:

Moore, C. W. 1909. LXXXV. - The constituents of the rhizome of Apocynum androsaemifolium. J. Chem. Soc. (Lond.), 95: 734-751.

Dogs

General symptoms of poisoning:

death
vomiting

References:

Moore, C. W. 1909. LXXXV. - The constituents of the rhizome of Apocynum androsaemifolium. J. Chem. Soc. (Lond.), 95: 734-751.

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).

References:

Fleurbec Inc. 1981. Plantes sauvages comestibles. Le groupe Fleurbec Inc., Sainte-Cuthbert, Que, Canada. 167 pp.