Dwarf Dogbane, Flytrap Dogbane, Spreading Dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium var. pumilum
Synonyms: Apocynum androsaemifolium ssp. pumilum, Apocnum androsaemifolium var. pumilum, Apocynum androsaemifolium var. tomentellum, Apocynum pumilum, Apocynum pumilum var. pumilum, Apocynum pumilum var. rhomboideum
Dwarf dogbane as seen on dry slopes about one-half mile north of Camas Land, Camas Land NAP, southeast of Leavenworth, Washington...........June 5, 2015.
Characteristics:
Flytrap dogbane is an attractive perennial wildflower with freely
branched stems from 20-50 cm high. The herbage ranges from glabrous to tomentose.
The leaves are opposite on the stems and are oblong-elliptic, ovate, oval or
cordate-ovate in shape. They range from 2.5-7 cm long.
The inflorescence is a terminal to axillary cyme with pink flowers.
The flowers are narrowly bell-shaped and 5-7 mm long with erect to spreading
lobes. The calyx lobes are ovate with rounded tips or lanceolate with pointed
tips, measuring 1.5-3.5 mm long. The fruits are narrow follicles, measuring
from 5-14 cm long, and held erect or reflexed.
Flytrap dogbane is an excellent nectar source for butterflies.
The plants are often covered with a wide variety of butterflies and other insects,
which are often so busy that one may setup and take decent photos without them
flying off.
Habitat:
Flytrap dogbane may be found on dry, open or lightly wooded
slopes and along disturbed roadsides from the valleys and foothills to medium
elevation in the mountains.
Range:
Flytrap dogbane may be found across much of Canada and the United
States except the southeastern US.
Flytrap dogbane observed along the Granite Trail at Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve, Spokane County, WA.....June 24, 2022.
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Close-up views (left and center) of the corolla of flytrap dogbane as seen about one-half mile south of the Little Spokane River near the Spokane Country Club.........June 21, 2009. The photo at right shows a close-up image of the inflorescence of flytrap dogbane as seen on the slope above the entrance to Ochoco Forest Camp, Ochoco National Forest.......July 13, 2017.
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Flytrap dogbane as seen about one-half mile south of the Little Spokane River near the Spokane Country Club..........June 21, 2009.
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Dwarf dogbane as seen on dry slopes about one-half mile north of Camas Land, Camas Land NAP, southeast of Leavenworth, Washington...........June 5, 2015.
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The photo at left shows the loose, open arrangement
of the stems of flytrap dogbane. Photographed in the Columbia Hills to the northeast of The Dalles, OR...........July 7, 2006. The photo at right shows flytrap dogbane blooming along the Steins Pillar Trail #837, Ochoco National Forest.........June 26, 2017.
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Flytrap dogbane as seen at left about one-half mile south of the Little Spokane River near the Spokane Country Club.........June 29, 2018. The photo at right shows flytrap dogbane in bloom along FS Road 48N02 on the west slopes of Mt. Bidwell, Modoc National Forest......July 31, 2020. This road is the northeastern-most section of the Modoc Backcountry Discovery Trail.
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Flytrap dogbane as seen at left about one-half mile south of the Little Spokane River near the Spokane Country Club.........June 29, 2021.
Flytrap dogbane in bloom at Brooks Memorial State Park.....June 4, 2021.
Paul Slichter
