Apocynum venetum, commonly known as sword-leaf dogbane, is a plant species in the dogbane family that is poisonous but used as a source of fiber, medicine, and nectar for production of honey.
Distribution and habitat
Apocynum venetum is considered to be native to a wide range in northern Asia and Southeast Europe: Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Ex-Yugoslavia, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Siberia, Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Cyprus, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Japan. It grows in swamps, wet places, and maritime sands.
Uses
Apocynum venetum is a valuable bast fibre, compared favorably to silk, ramie, cashmere, and cotton. Apocynum venetum leaves have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension.
Subspecies
Subspecies include:
- Apocynum venetum subsp. armenum <small>(Pobed.) ined.</small> â Turkey, Iran, Caucasus
- Apocynum venetum subsp. basikurumon <small>(H.Hara) ined.</small> â Japan
- Apocynum venetum subsp. lancifolium <small>(Russanov) ined.</small> â Siberia, China (including Tibet + Xinjiang), Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
- Apocynum venetum subsp. russanovii <small>(Pobed.) ined.</small> â Ostriv Dzharylhach Peninsula in Ukraine
- Apocynum venetum subsp. sarmatiense <small>(Woodson) ined.</small> â Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Caucasus
- Apocynum venetum subsp. scabrum <small>(Russanov) ined.</small> â Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan
- Apocynum venetum subsp. tauricum <small>(Pobed.) ined.</small> â Cape St. Ilya in Crimea
- Apocynum venetum subsp. venetum â Italy
References
External links