Apocynum venetum L.

Stems to 4 m tall, glabrous except for inflorescences; branches and branchlets whitish gray, terete, finely striate. Leaves usually opposite; petiole 3-6 mm; leaf blade narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate, 1-8 X 0.5-2.2 cm, base rounded or cuneate, margin denticulate, apex acute or obtuse, mucronate. Sepals narrowly elliptic or narrowly ovate, ca. 1.5 mm. Corolla purplish red or pink; tube campanulate, 6-8 mm, granulose; lobes 3-4 mm. Disc fleshy, 5-lobed; lobes rounded, base adnate to ovary. Follicles slender, 8-20 cm X 2-3 mm. Seeds ovoid or ellipsoid, 2-3 mm, coma 1.5-2.5 cm. Fl. Apr-Sep, fr. Jul-Dec. 2n = 22.

It is a temperate plant. In China it grows in lowlands near lakes. It grows in wetlands. In north China is grows in salty barren areas and on the edges of deserts.

The leafy shoots are gathered and steamed and dried then used for tea.

Can be grown by seedlings.