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]

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 fibers can be extracted from the A. venetum bast; these fibers possess the luster of silk, smoothness of ramie, malleability of cashmere, and the softness of 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

References

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