Bitterroot

At a glance

Origin / distribution: US(Blackfoot), Turkey, US, ", US(Amerindian)

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Alopecia, Cardiac, Cardiotonic, Cathartic

Science studied: APOCANNOSIDE, CANNOGENIN, CYNOCANNOSIDE, HOMOANDROSTEROL

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Apocynaceae

Scientific name: Apocynum cannabinum

Common names: Bitterroot, Spreading Dogbane, American-hemp, Black Indian Hemp, Common Dogbane, Cáñamo americano, Cânhamo-americano, Dogbane, Falsa-erva-leiteira, Hanf-Hundsgift (DE), Hemp Dogbane, Hemp dogbane, Indian Hemp, Indian Hemp (EN), Indian hemp, Indian-hemp, Prairie Dogbane

POWO: 16527-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in US(Blackfoot), Turkey, Elsewhere, US, ", US(Amerindian).

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Alopecia
• Cardiac
• Cardiotonic
• Cathartic
• Condyloma
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Dropsy

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• US(Blackfoot)
• Turkey
• Elsewhere
• US
• "
• US(Amerindian)

Documented cultural uses

• Alopecia
• Cardiac
• Cardiotonic
• Cathartic
• Condyloma
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Dropsy
• Dysentery
• Dyspepsia
• Emetic
• Expectorant

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Alopecia · US(Blackfoot) · "
• Cardiac · Turkey · "
• Cardiotonic · Elsewhere · "
• Cardiotonic · US · "
• Cathartic · US · "
• Condyloma · " · "
• Diaphoretic · Elsewhere · "
• Diaphoretic · US · "
• Diuretic · Turkey · "
• Diuretic · US · "
• Dropsy · Turkey · "
• Dropsy · US · "
• Dysentery · US · "
• Dyspepsia · US · "
• Emetic · US · "
• Expectorant · Turkey · "
• Expectorant · US · "
• Fever · US · "
• Fever · US(Blackfoot) · "
• Inflammation · US · "
• Intestine · US · "
• Laxative · US(Blackfoot) · "
• Malaria · Turkey · "
• Purgative · US · "

12 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of Apocynum cannabinum · 2023 source ↗
• The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 143. Apocynum cannabinum L. · 2009 source ↗
• Light, wind, and touch influence leaf chemistry and rates of herbivory in Apocynum cannabinum (Apocynaceae). · 2006 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• APOCANNOSIDE
• CANNOGENIN
• CYNOCANNOSIDE
• HOMOANDROSTEROL
• OLEANOLIC-ACID
• RESIN
• K-STROPHANTHIN
• TANNIN
• CYMARIN
• FAT
• LUPEOL
• STROPHANTHIN-CYMAROSIDE
• ALPHA-AMYRIN
• CYMAROL
• HARMALOL
• PROTEIN

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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