The Native peoples preferred to get fibre from the related hemp dogbane, because that bush is larger and the fibres are longer and tougher. But wehre hemp dogbane was not avaialbe, they would use spreading dogbane as a poor substitute. The plant is toxic to livestalk, and sickness and death have been reported from its use for medicinal purposes. The name “dogbane” may come in part, fromk the fact that the milky sap is very bitter and the plant is avoided by browsing animals.