dogbane

American  

[dawg-beyn, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌbeɪn, ˈdɒg- /

noun

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

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dogbane British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of dogbane

First recorded in 1590–1600; dog + bane

Compare meaning

How does dogbane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dogbane vs. milkweed

Example Sentences

The pink flowers of droopy-leaved spreading dogbane are one of many native attractors in the Dishman Hills.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2016

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2015

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

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Parsons, Mary Elizabeth

Cream′-fruit, the fruit of a creeping West African plant of the dogbane family, yielding a cream-like juice; Cream′iness.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

As I hurried across I noted with great satisfaction that the pink-white blossoms of the spreading dogbane were covered with mosquito carcasses.

From Roof and Meadow by Sharp, Dallas Lore