Apocynum venetum

Apocynum venetum, commonly known as sword-leaf dogbane, 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.

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. It grows in swamps, wet places, and maritime sands.

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. Apocynum venetum leaves have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension.

Subspecies
Subspecies include:
 * 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