Identifying Dogbane for Rope Making-Grows along Ten Mile Creek
DOGBANE (Apocynum cannabinum) has been used for thousands of years for rope making. It grows along Ten Mile Creek and is easy to identify in all stages. In summer it has white flowers and milky sap (do not get in the eyes!) and in fall the stalks turn reddish and the seeds are fluffy white like Milkweed.
The name Dogbane refers to the plant's toxic nature, which has been described as being poisonous to dogs. Apocynum cannabinum is also referred to as Indian Hemp, wild cotton, rheumatism root, etc. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Dogbane is also used for multiple reasons besides ropemaking, but I won't be getting into those here.
Dogbane is known for its use as cordage. Dogbane fibers have been found in some archaeological sites thousands of years old.
3 different sizes of cording that I hope to use in jewelry projects.
Do your research on this plant and any other plant before using it, and talk to experts when it comes to any wild plant and its uses.
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