Apocynum cannabinum has many common names, including Indian hemp and hemp dogbane. It is in the Dogbane Family. Indian hemp grows from three-to-five-feet tall, and the stem and leaves together can be up to one foot in width. Indian hemp has small, white flowers, and the seeds come in long, round, bean-like fruit. This plant has opposite leaves, this means that they grow across from each other on the stem. Indian hemp is a perennial plant and a dicotyledon.

They are found growing throughout the eastern United States. Hemp grows best in well-drained soils. The best soils that yield this condition are sandy soils or in gravel. The plant usually grows in clusters in wide-open fields, open thickets, or shores. Hemp usually blooms in the hottest time of the year from June to August. The creamy, milky juice inside the hemp plant is slightly toxic. If the sap comes in contact with the eyes or lips, it can cause slight irritation. If this contact happens, you should wash the area and you will be fine.

The hemp plant got its name from the fibrous stem used to make fibers for clothing and ropes by Native Americans of the United States. They used the dried out fibers and wove them together to make many things.

Written fall 2000, as a service learning project for Dr. Gary Coté's Biology 102 class at Radford University. Copyright Pathways for Radford.