Family: Apocynaceae/ Dogbane
Ecology/ Botany:
This shrub prefers warm, dry forest openings and meadows of Interior Douglas Fir and Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones.
Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses:
Do not let this beauty fool you. It contains toxic cardiac glycosides in its milky sap. Sickness and death have occurred when people have attempted internal use. It’s safe for butterflies to pollinate the plant, but not for some smaller insects. They are drawn into the flowers by fine pink lines called honey guides, and then trapped there by tiny barbs on the petals.
References/Other useful Links:
Parish, Coupe, Lloyd. 1996. Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing.