Apocynum venetum

Apocynum venetum, commonly known as sword-leaf dogbane,^[2] 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.^[3]

Apocynum venetum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Apocynum
Species:	A. venetum
Binomial name
Apocynum venetum L.
Synonyms[1]
Trachomitum venetum (L.) Woodson Apocynum armenum Pobed. Trachomitum armenum (Pobed.) Pobed. Apocynum basikurumon H.Hara Apocynum lancifolium Russanov Trachomitum lancifolium (Russanov) Pobed. Nerium antidysentericum Lepech. 1790 not L. 1753 nor Lepech. 1795 Nerium sibiricum Medik. Apocynum sibiricum Pall. ex Roem. & Schult. 1819 not Jacq. 1770 Apocynum compressum Moench Trachomitum sarmatiense Woodson Apocynum sarmatiense (Woodson) O.Wissjul. Apocynum scabrum Russanov Trachomitum scabrum (Russanov) Pobed. Apocynum tauricum Pobed. Trachomitum tauricum (Pobed.) Pobed.

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.^[1][3][4] It grows in swamps, wet places, and maritime sands.^[5]

Uses

Apocynum venetum is a valuable bast fibre, compared favorably to silk, ramie, cashmere, and cotton.^[6] Apocynum venetum leaves have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension.^[7]

Subspecies

Dried Apocynum venetum tea leaves ("Luobuma")

Subspecies include:^[1]

1. Apocynum venetum subsp. armenum (Pobed.) ined. – Turkey, Iran, Caucasus
2. Apocynum venetum subsp. basikurumon (H.Hara) ined. – Japan
3. Apocynum venetum subsp. lancifolium (Russanov) ined. – Siberia, China (including Tibet + Xinjiang), Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
4. Apocynum venetum subsp. russanovii (Pobed.) ined. – Ostriv Dzharylhach Peninsula in Ukraine
5. Apocynum venetum subsp. sarmatiense (Woodson) ined. – Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Caucasus
6. Apocynum venetum subsp. scabrum (Russanov) ined. – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan
7. Apocynum venetum subsp. tauricum (Pobed.) ined. – Cape St. Ilya in Crimea
8. Apocynum venetum subsp. venetum – Italy