Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), also called Hemp Dogbane, is a very useful wild plant, but also very poisonous. It can be deadly to pets, so you really don’t want it in your yard.

However, it can be used to make very strong, very thin string, so it’s a great survival plant to know. It is the best plant on the east coast in the United States for making string strong enough and thin enough for fishing!

Habitat: Wetlands, ditches, and wet soils.

Leaves: Two to six inches long, opposite, 2 leaves per node. Elliptical, or lanceolate, and smooth-edged.

Fruit: Four to eight-inch-long pods

Flowers: Greenish-white and form in clusters located at the ends of main stems and primary branches.

Roots: Horizontally spreading rhizomes.

Stem: Dark brown to red, roundish and hairless.

Look-Alikes: Milkweed, which is also poisonous unless properly cooked.