Hemp dogbane-Apocynum cannabinum L.-Poisonous plant

Hemp dogbane

General poisoning notes:

1909). Hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) is a native plant found across Canada. Fuller and McClintock (1986) report that two horses died after ingesting alfalfa hay that contained large quantities of hemp dogbane. The tops of the plants (up to 1 m tall) were found in the hay.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Apocynum cannabinum L.

Vernacular name(s): hemp dogbane

Scientific family name: Apocynaceae

Vernacular family name: dogbane

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Toxic parts:

All parts

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Hemp dogbane contains the chemical cymarin (a cardiac glycoside). Joubert (1989) lists this chemical under "Apocynum camrabinum," which is a typographical error and should read "Apocynum cannabinum."

Toxic plant chemicals:

apocynamarin
cymarin

Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Horses