Roadless Areas
Home/Species/ Clasping-leaf Dogbane

Apocynum cannabinum

L.

Clasping-leaf Dogbane

G5Secure Found in 148 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152220
Element CodePDAPO06020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderGentianales
FamilyApocynaceae
GenusApocynum
Other Common Names
Apocyn chanvrin (FR) Clasping-leaved Dogbane (EN) Hemp Dogbane (EN) Indianhemp (EN) Indian-hemp (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
Kartesz (1994 and 1999) does not recognize infraspecific taxa within Apocynum cannabinum.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-26
Change Date1984-02-09
Edition Date2025-06-26
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Apocynum cannabinum is a perennial herb that grows in damp to dry habitats, often in disturbed areas, throughout North America. With a large range extent, more than 2000 occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Apocynum cannabinum is widespread in North America from the Northwest Territories to Nova Scotia, Canada, throughout the United States, and south to Nuevo Leon, Mexico (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be more than 2000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, Apocynum cannabinum is potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Apocynum cannabinum grows in "for­ests, woodlands, fields, lakeshores, margins of swamps, rocky or gravelly river margins, dry creek beds, road­sides, railroad rights-of-way, other disturbed sites." (FNA 2023). In desert areas, this species is often found near springs or in shaded canyons (SEINet 2025).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest EdgeShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousOld field
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
New BrunswickS4Yes
Northwest TerritoriesS3Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS3Yes
ManitobaS4Yes
Nova ScotiaS4Yes
QuebecS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
OntarioSNRYes
AlbertaS3Yes
SaskatchewanS4Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
MichiganSNRYes
District of ColumbiaS5Yes
VirginiaSNRYes
DelawareSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
New YorkS5Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
WyomingS4Yes
ColoradoS4Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
FloridaS3Yes
OklahomaSNRYes
VermontS5Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
MarylandS5Yes
PennsylvaniaSNRYes
NebraskaSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
MassachusettsSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
MaineSNRYes
South DakotaSNRYes
New JerseySNRYes
GeorgiaS5Yes
KansasS5Yes
NevadaS4Yes
New MexicoSNRYes
North CarolinaS5Yes
WashingtonSNRYes
IowaSNRYes
North DakotaSNRYes
MontanaS4Yes
UtahSNRYes
South CarolinaS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
KentuckyS5Yes
LouisianaSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
OregonSNRYes
MissouriSNRYes
West VirginiaSNRYes
WisconsinSNRYes
ArizonaSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
IndianaSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undeterminedUnknownUnknownUnknown

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (148)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Oakey MountainTalladega National Forest6,129
Arizona (3)
AreaForestAcres
Happy ValleyCoronado National Forest7,972
Hot AirApache-Sitgreaves National Forests31,712
Upper Rincon RoadlessCoronado National Forest2,991
Arkansas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Clifty CanyonOzark-St. Francis National Forest1,963
California (40)
AreaForestAcres
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Big Butte ShinboneSix Rivers National Forest1,102
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Boundary Peak (CA)Inyo National Forest210,884
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Castle Crags BShasta-Trinity National Forest1,619
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest7,850
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
JuncalLos Padres National Forest12,289
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
North MountainStanislaus National Forest7,856
PantherShasta-Trinity National Forest12,016
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Thomes CreekMendocino National Forest16,616
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
Tom MartinKlamath National Forest9,031
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
Georgia (3)
AreaForestAcres
Boggs CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,073
Helton CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,348
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Idaho (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Illinois (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ripple HollowShawnee National Forest3,788
Montana (15)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Chico PeakGallatin National Forest10,744
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Devils TowerHelena National Forest7,144
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
Tenderfoot - Deep CreekLewis and Clark National Forest85,614
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
Nevada (11)
AreaForestAcres
Arc Dome - OphirHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,652
Butler Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest25,878
Charleston - Macks CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,378
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Moriah - Hendrys Ck.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,345
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
Rose - Alum CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest853
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - Thomas Mdw.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest358
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
New Hampshire (1)
AreaForestAcres
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
New Mexico (9)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Aspen MountainGila National Forest23,784
Bull CanyonCarson National Forest11,512
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
North Carolina (2)
AreaForestAcres
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
North Dakota (4)
AreaForestAcres
DurlerDakota Prairie Grasslands12,464
Long X DivideDakota Prairie Grasslands10,099
McleodDakota Prairie Grasslands9,117
VenloDakota Prairie Grasslands5,317
Oregon (7)
AreaForestAcres
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Cougar BluffUmpqua National Forest5,574
Mountain SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,457
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
Williams CreekUmpqua National Forest5,844
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
Tennessee (1)
AreaForestAcres
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Little Lake CreekNational Forests in Texas596
Utah (15)
AreaForestAcres
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418015Uinta National Forest17,289
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Virginia (15)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beartown Addition AJefferson National Forest1,370
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
Washington (2)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonOkanogan National Forest9,681
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
West Virginia (7)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wyoming (4)
AreaForestAcres
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
References (3)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2023. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 14. Magnoliophyta: Gentianaceae to Hydroleaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 505 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  3. Wenner, N. 2020. Native Plants for Textiles: 3 Bast Fibers to Know Beyond Hemp and Flax. Article posted on the Fibershed website. https://fibershed.org/2020/02/11/native-plants-for-textiles-3-bast-fibers-to-know-beyond-hemp-and-flax/