Indianhemp
Apocynum cannabinum
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
Thayne Tuason
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Apocynum
- Species:
- Apocynum cannabinum
- USDA Symbol:
- APCA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, greenish-white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Delicate Cycnia (Cycnia tenera), Marmara apocynella, Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus) Moths:Delicate Cycnia (Cycnia tenera), dogbane saucrobotys moth (Saucrobotys futilalis), indigo stem borer (Papaipema baptisiae), Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle) Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion), Great Spangled (Argynnis cybele), Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Small White (Pieris rapae), Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open, disturbed areas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30-60 days; sow on soil surface and keep moist.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are stored in cool-dry conditions with temperatures of approximately 50° F and relative humidity of 20 to 30%. Seeds are then placed into finely woven mesh bags and then placed into gallon freezer bags filled with wet soil mix. These are placed in a cooler at 40° F for 90 days.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected into paper bag. No fertilizer was added to the soil mix.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)