dogbane

[dawg-beyn, dog-]

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Apocynum, especially A. androsaemifolium, yielding an acrid milky juice and having an intensely bitter root.

dogbane

/ ˈdɒɡˌbeɪn /

noun

1. any of several North American apocynaceous plants of the genus Apocynum, esp A. androsaemifolium, having bell-shaped white or pink flowers: thought to be poisonous to dogs

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogbane¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dog + bane

Example Sentences

On the left, the shadier side of the garden offers currants, ferns and dogbane normally found in the High Sierras.

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Mojave yucca, aloe, jade, agave and ice plant predominate on the garden's hotter southwest side; black walnut, geranium, dogbane, and oaks prevail on the cooler north side.

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For example, observe the matching colors among the bugs and butterflies that feed on the common milkweed and its relative dogbane.

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The small pink flowers of the spreading dogbane may be found all through the summer, often upon our driest hillsides.

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Vinca, ving′ka, n. a genus of woody herbaceous plants of the dogbane family, the periwinkles.

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