Dogbane

a genus of perennial herbs. There are two species in the eastern part of the United States. Both have upright branching stems, opposite leaves, fibrous bark, and a milky juice. The spreading dogbane has delicate, open, bell-shaped flowers of a pale rose color, distributed in spreading clusters. The roots are used as an emetic. The other species has pale, erect, less open flowers crowded in close clusters. Its tough, stringy bark was used by the natives for making nets, whence the name, Indian hemp. The dogbanes belong to a large family of over a thousand species, including many Old World shrubs, vines, and trees. A number of species yield India rubber of commerce. The milktree and the cream-fruit of Africa, the periwinkle, and the cape jasmine are of the family.