Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants #167-168 Corydalis – Ocotilla

Tags

Candlewood, Corydalis aurea, Corydalis solida, Devil's Couchwhip, edible Ocotilla, field craft, field medicine, Fouquieria splendens, Fumewort, Golden Corydalis, Golden Smoke, home remedies, militia supply, native american medicine, Ocotilla, Scrambled Eggs, stomach aches, treat backaches, treat diarrhea, treat fatigued limbs, treat hand sores, treat hemorrhoids, treat hysteria, treat insomnia, treat lumbago, treat lymphatic system, treat nervousness, treat painful cough, treat painful menstruation, treat portal hypertension, treat prostrate enlargements, treat sore throats, treat swollen limbs, treat traumatic injury, treat varicose veins, treatment for lumbago, treatment to lower blood pressure

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 
(Blog Masters Note: All past posts for Wild Edible And Medicinal Plants  are now located in a drop-down search below comments.)
#167
Common Name: Golden Smoke, Fumewort, Scrambled Eggs
Latin Name: Corydalis aurea, C. solida
Family: Papaveraceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COAU2 All States west of the Mississippi R., except Louisiana, plus Alaska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont; In Canada, all except Nunavut, Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Corydalis aurea)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COSO6 Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont; In Canada; Ontario.(Corydalis solida)
Photos : (Click on Latin name after common name )
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#167(a)
Common Name: Golden Smoke, Scrambled Eggs, Golden Corydalis (Corydalis aurea )
Appearance and Habitat: A soft plant, the stems weakly erect or supported by vegetation or rocks, with bilateral yellow flowers in racemes shorter than the leaves.(1)Talus slopes, ledges, rocky hillsides, forest clearings, open shores, creek bottoms, gravel pits, road cuts, and burned-over areas, in loose often gravelly soil at elevations of 100 to 3400 meters in N. America. Mainly in the west adn central areas, from Alaska to California, also east to New York. An annual / biennial growing to .05 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from Apr to May.(2)Corydalis is a rather clumpy plant with spreading stems which radiate from a small root. The leaves are disected in appearance, with a color of bluish-gray or bluish-green. The flowers are yellow and pea like. The flowers mature into bean like pods. Quiet typically the pods and flowers will be mixed on the same plant, as the plant matures. It is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring and the last to bloom, in the fall. It can forms stands, or solitary plants, over its range. It grows from Arizona and New Mexico north, from 2,000 to 10,500 feet in elevation, often in forested areas. Most plants are around a foot tall.(3)
Warnings: Corydalis species aer potentially toxic in moderate doses.(4)Not to be used when pregnant, or with any organic disease or used with medications of a neurologic treatment. Avoid the species Corydalis Dicentra that goes in California in burned-out areas.(5)
Edible Uses:None(6)
Medicinal Uses :A tea made from the plant is used in the treatment of painful or irregular menstruation, diarrhoea, bronchitis, heart diseases, sore throats and stomach aches. Externally, it is used as a lotion on backaches, hand sores etc and as a gargle for sore throats. Caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the note above on toxicity.(7)Collect the entire plant, roots and all, drying them in small 1/2 bundles, hung in the shade. You might need to shorten the stems if they are long and place in separate bundles. The roots should be dried in cheesecloth, folded to make a pocket, and then hung to dry. Corydalis is not safe to use along, but should be combined with Skullcap or Valerian, where is works much better. In combination it works well for nervousness and hysteria that causes trembling, shaking and twitching. If you are taking blood-thinning supplements such as garlic, Vitamin E, Omega 3 Fish Oil, CoQ-10 or aspirin it might cause nose bleeds, as it tends to reduce blood platelet count. Whether used in tea or tincture, combine it with the other herbs listed, for instance 1/2 teaspoon of tincture with 1/2 teaspoon of tincture from either Valerian or Skullcap. For the fresh tincture, use 1 part fresh plant with 2 parts 50% vodka by weight. For the dried plant up the ratio to 1 part dried plant to 5 parts vodka by weight. For the tea use 1/2 teaspoon in combination with the other herbs and take frequent small doses. Over dosing will cause the same symptoms you are trying to reduce.( 8 )
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COAU2
Foot Notes: ( 2, 4, 6, 7)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Corydalis+aurea
Foot Notes: ( 3, 5, 8 ) Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West 2nd Edition, by Michael Moore, pages 96-97, Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN 0-89013-454-5
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#167(b)
Common Name: Fumewort (Corydalis solida )
Appearance and Habitat: Woods, hedgerows, meadows, orchards and vineyards, usually on stony soils, avoiding calcareous soils in Europe, naturalized in Britain. A perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 7-Mar It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June.
Warnings: The plant is poisonous.
Edible Uses: Root – boiled. Rich in starch. Some caution is advised, there is a report that the plant is toxic.
Medicinal Uses : Fumewort has been used as a painkiller in Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years. The tuber is anodyne, antibacterial, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, nervine and sedative. It is used internally as a sedative for insomnia and as a stimulant and painkiller, especially in painful menstruation, traumatic injury and lumbago. It is also used for lowering the blood pressure. Research suggests that it also has an action in the thyroid and adrenal cortex. The tuber should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The tubers are harvested when the plant is dormant and are dried for later use.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Corydalis+solida
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#168
Common Name: Ocotilla, Candlewood, Devil’s Couchwhip
Latin Name: Fouquieria splendens
Family: Papaveraceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=fosp2 California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; south to Mexico.
Photos: here
Notes: Ocotilla is protected in Arizona, but cutting a six foot section of the plant does not cause permanent harm to the plant. Like Mesquite, which is protected in Southern Nevada, corporations are immune to the laws, and uproot whole plants for residential subdivisions, which might make another good source for a section of the plant.
Appearance and Habitat: Ocotilla is hard to mistake for any other plant, as most of the year it consists of a mass spiny stems that rise in height from 6 foot to 20 foot. The plant is leafless until after summer rains, when they sudden obtain small leaves along the spiny stem. In early spring they flower with hundreds of scarlet colored, tubular flowers. Ocotilla is found in all southwestern deserts, form sea level near the Imperial Valley of California to over 5,000 feet in central New Mexico. In areas where it grows, watch for it on mesa tops and rocky hillsides.
Edible Uses: Flowers collected in the spring make a delicious sweet and tart tea, whether fresh of dried. You can use them to make sun tea.
Medicinal Uses : Collect the plant using good gloves to prevent being stuck with the spines. Older plants (they seem to live forever) can have a center stem where the spines have disappeared under the bark. A six foot section will provide medicine for a year for a family. Once a section has been removed, cut it into 6 inch sections, remove the bark down to the center core. At this point you can make a fresh tincture using 1 part fresh plant to 2 parts 95% vodka or grain alcohol. Be sure and cover the plant with the alcohol and allow to sit in a closed bottle (canning bottle with lid) shaking it daily for 7 to 10 days. The tincture is taken every 3 to 4 hours, 25 to 35 drops in a little warm water, for hemorrhoids, benign prostrate enlargements and to help cure frequent urination with a dull ache of the urethra, but not from inflammation. The tincture will also helps the lymphatic system to remove excess fluids helping varicose veins. The tincture is absorbed by the small intestine and stimulates visceral lymph drainage, while improving dietary fat absorption into the lymph system. With fewer fats going to the liver it helps a condition called portal hypertension. Native Americans of California used a strong tea for moist, painful coughing in the elderly. Apaches took baths and drank the tea from the inner core of the plant for fatigued or swollen limbs.
Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West by Michael Moore, pages 81- 83, Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 1989, ISBN 0-80913-182-1

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

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Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants # 162 Poplar (part 1)

Tags

Alamo, Eastern Cottonwood, edible poplar, field craft, field medicine, militia supply, Native American culture, Native American foods, native american medicine, natural aspirin, poplar, Populus alba, Populus angustifolia, Populus balsamifera, Populus deltoides, Populus fremontii, Populus grandidentata, Populus heterophylla, Populus nigra, Populus tremuloides, preppers plants, Quaking Aspen, treat anorexia, treat back pains, treat burns, treat colds, treat gout, treat hemorrhoids, treat infected wounds, treat kidney disorders, treat liver problems, treat menstrual cramps, treat urinary infections, treat wounds, treatment for bronchitis, treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding, treatment for fevers, treatment for sinusitis, treatment of arthritis, treatment of rheumatism, Western Cottonwood

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 
#162 (part 1)
Common Name: Cottonwood, Alamo, Aspen, Poplar, Quaking Aspen
Latin Name: Populus alba, P. angustifolia, P. balsamifera, P. deltoides, P. fremontii, P. grandidentata, P. heterophylla, P. nigra, P. tremuloides
Family: Salicacea
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POPUL All of North America, this is the main database for USDA.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POAL7 All of the lower 48 states, except Arizona; In Canada; British Columbia, Manitoba to Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Populus alba)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POAN3 All states west of the Rocky Mountains, except Washington, plus South Dakota, Nebraska and Texas; In Canada; Alberta and Saskatchewan. (Populus angustifolia)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POBA2 Alaska, all states west of the Rocky Mountains, except Arizona and New Mexico, plus N. and S. Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, all states north of the Ohio R., Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York north to Maine; All of Canada. (Populus balsamifera)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PODE3 All states east of the Mississippi, all states west to the Rocky Mountains, plus Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah; In Canada; British Columbia to Quebec. (Populus deltoides)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POFR2 California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. (Populus fremontii)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POGR4 All states north of the Ohio R., all states north of Pennsylvania/New Jersey, plus Kentucky, Tennessee, W. Virginia, Virginia, N. Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and N. Dakota; In Canada; British Columbia, Manitoba to Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Populus grandidentata)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POHE4 All states east of the Mississippi R. except W. Virginia, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, plus Missouri to Louisiana; In Canada; Ontario. (Populus heterophylla)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PONI All of the lower 48 states, except Montana and Idaho; In Canada; British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. (Populus nigra)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=POTR5 All states in North America, except Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana to S. Carolina; In Canada; all except Nunavut. (Populus tremuloides)
Photos : (Click on Latin name after common name )
Warnings: None on Plants For A Future, except Populus temuloides.
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#162 (a)
Common Name: White Poplar (Populus alba)
Appearance and Habitat: Distributed on both sides of the Cascades in Washington; widely distributed throughout North America. Habitat: Disturbed areas often associated with urban and suburban areas, riparian zones. A perennial that was introduced. (1)  Woods and watersides in C. Europe to Asia. Ferequently planted in Britian but not naturalized. A deciduous tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March. (2)
Edible Uses: Leaves – rich in Vitamin C. Inner bark – dried, ground into a powder and added to flour for making bread. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails (3)
Medicinal Uses :The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic and tonic. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use. The leaves are used in the treatment of caries of teeth and bones. The twigs are depurative.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Populus&Species=alba
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+alba
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#162 (b)
Common Name: Narrow Leaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia)
Appearance and Habitat: Narrow-leaf cottonwood is a small, deciduous tree, growing 45-60ft, with rather narrow crown and slender twigs. Bark is less deeply furrowed than the broad-leaved cottonwoods. Toothed, yellow-green leaves are narrow and willow-like. Tree with narrow, conical crown of slender, upright branches and with resinous, balsam-scented buds. Discovered in 1805 by Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Northwest, this is the common cottonwood of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is easily distinguishable from related species by the narrow, short-stalked, willowlike leaves. Its root system makes it suitable for erosion control.(1)Streambanks in dry mountains, foothills and dry plains in western N. America – Alberta to Mexico. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 3.(2)
Edible Uses:Inner bark There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread. A ‘honeydew’, produced on the undersides of leaves by aphis, was collected by various native North American Indian tribes and used as a sweetener. The buds have been used as a chewing gum.(3)
Medicinal Uses :A tea made from the inner bark is used in the treatment of scurvy. The bark contains salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. The woolly fruit is moistened and applied to the gums in order to treat infections. A tea made from the fruits is used in the treatment of toothache.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POAN3
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+angustifolia
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#162 (c)
Common Name: Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera)
Appearance and Habitat: A 20-60 ft tree with dark gray, furrowed bark. Trunk is straight and branches are erect and stout. Dark green leaves are shiny on top; silvery or brown underneath. Catkins appear before the leaves emerge. Cottony seeds are blown about by the wind. Large tree with narrow, open crown of upright branches and fragrant, resinous buds with strong balsam odor. The northernmost New World hardwood, Balsam Poplar extends in scattered groves to Alaskas Arctic Slope. Black Cottonwood, once considered a separate species (P. trichocarpa), is now considered a subspecies of Balsam Poplar. It occupies the more southerly portions of the species range in the West. Balm-of-Gilead Poplar, an ornamental with broad, open crown and larger, heart-shaped leaves, is a clone or hybrid of Balsam Poplar. Balm-of-Gilead, derived from the resinous buds, has been used in home remedies.(1)  Deep moist sandy soils of river bottomlands, stream banks, borders of lakes and swamps in northern N. America – Newfoundland to Alaska, south to New England, Iowa and Colorado. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 2.(2)
Edible Uses:Inner bark. It is best used in spring. Mucilaginous. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread. Catkins – raw or cooked. A bitter flavour.(3)
Medicinal Uses :Balsam poplar has a long history of medicinal use. It was valued by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints, but especially to treat skin problems and lung ailments. In modern herbalism it is valued as an expectorant and antiseptic tonic. The leaf buds are antiscorbutic, antiseptic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, tonic. The leaf buds are covered with a resinous sap that has a strong turpentine odour and a bitter taste.They are boiled in order to separate the resin and the resin is then dissolved in alcohol. The resin is a folk remedy, used as a salve and wash for sores, rheumatism, wounds etc. It is made into a tea and used as a wash for sprains, inflammation, muscle pains etc. Internally, the tea is used in the treatment of lung ailments and coughs. The buds can also be put in hot water and used as an inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages. The bark is cathartic and tonic. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. A tea made from the inner bark is used as an eye wash and in the treatment of scurvy.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POBA2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+balsamifera
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#162 (d)
Common Name: Eastern Cottonwood, Necklace Poplar (Populus deltoides)
Appearance and Habitat: Eastern cottonwood is a large-canopied tree with upright limbs becoming arching at the tips creating a vase-shape outline. The deciduous tree grows to100 ft. or more with stout branches. Catkins appear before leaf emergence. Large, papery, toothed triangular, medium-green leaves turn yellow in fall. Large tree with a massive trunk often forked into stout branches, and broad, open crown of spreading and slightly drooping branches. Pendulous clusters of flowers without petals in late March and early April. Seeds wind-borne on a tuft of cottony hairs. The common name refers to the abundant cottony seeds; another name, Necklace Poplar, alludes to the resemblance of the long, narrow line of seed capsules to a string of beads. Although short-lived, it is one of the fastest-growing native trees; on favorable sites in the Mississippi Valley, trees average 5 (1.5 m) in height growth annually with as much as 13 (4 m) the first year. Plains Cottonwood (ssp. monilifera [Ait.] Eckenwalder or var. occidentalis Rydb.), a western subspecies or variety, has slightly smaller leaves that are often broader than long and more coarsely toothed.(1)  Rich moist spoils, mainly along riverbanks, bottoms and rich woods. N. America – Quebec to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower from Mar to April, and the seeds ripen from May to June.(2)
Edible Uses:Inner bark. A mucilaginous texture, it is usually harvested in the spring. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread. Seeds. No more details are given but they are very small and would be exceedingly fiddly to collect and use. Sap – used for food. Buds. No more details are given. The leaves are rich in protein and have a greater amino-acid content than wheat, corn, rice and barley. A concentrate made from them is as nourishing as meat, but can be produced faster and more cheaply. Some people believe that this will become a major food source for humans.(3)
Medicinal Uses :The bark contains salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of whooping cough and tuberculosis. A decoction of the bark has been used to rid the body of intestinal worms. The bark has been eaten as a treatment for colds. A tea made from the inner bark is used in the treatment of scurvy. The inner bark, combined with black haw bark (Crataegus douglasii) and wild plum bark (Prunus spp) has been used as a female tonic. A poultice of the leaves has been used as a treatment for rheumatism, bruises, sores and boils.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PODE3
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+deltoides
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#162 (e)
Common Name: Fremont Cottonwood, Western Cottonwood, Gila Cottonwood, Alamo (Populus fremontii)
Appearance and Habitat: A fast-growing riparian tree, Fremonts Cottonwood has been known to grow 30ft in one year. It ultimate height is up to 90 ft. Tree with broad, flattened, open crown of large, widely spreading branches. The crown is broad and open with stout branches. Bark is whitish and roughly cracked. The triangular, deciduous leaves are bright green turning yellow in fall. This species, including varieties, is the common cottonwood at low altitudes along the Rio Grande and Colorado River and in the rest of the Southwest, as well as in California. Fremont Cottonwood grows only on wet soil and is an indicator of permanent water and shade. Easily propagated from cuttings, it is extensively planted in its range along irrigation ditches, and although it grows rapidly, it is short-lived. To this day, Hopi Indians of the Southwest carve cottonwood roots into kachina dolls, the representations of supernatural beings, that have become valuable collectors items. Horses gnaw the sweetish bark of this species; beavers also feed on the bark and build dams with the branches. Greenish clumps of parasitic mistletoes are often scattered on the branches. Fremont Cottonwood is named for its discoverer, General John Charles Fremont (1813-90), politician, soldier, and explorer.(1)Banks of streams and other moist places in south-western N. America – California to Texas. It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from Mar to April, and the seeds ripen in April.(2)
Edible Uses:Catkins – raw or cooked. Eaten as a snack. The young green seedpods have been chewed as a gum. Inner bark. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread.(3)
Medicinal Uses :The inner bark was consumed by various native North American Indian tribes in order to prevent scurvy. The bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. An infusion of the bark and leaves has been used to wet a cloth which is then tied around the head as a treatment for headaches. The infusion has also been used as a wash on cuts, bruises, wounds and insect stings. A poultice of the boiled bark and leaves has been used to treat swellings caused by muscle strain.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POFR2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+fremontii
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#162 (f)
Common Name: Canadian Aspen, Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata)
Appearance and Habitat: Big-tooth aspen is a columnar tree 50-75ft. tall. Toothed leaves are cottony white on the lower surface, especially when the tree is young. The slender trunk’s whitish bark, becomes furrowed at base and darker gray with age. Silvery catkins appear before leaves. Deciduous foliage becomes golden-yellow in fall. Easily distinguishable from Quaking Aspen by the large curved teeth of leaf edges, mentioned in both common and scientific names. Like that species, Bigtooth Aspen is a pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, short-lived and replaced by conifers. The foliage, twig buds, and bark are consumed by wildlife.(1)  Rich moist sandy soils near streams and the borders of swamps from sea level to 900 meters in north-eastern N. America – Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to North Carolina. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen in April.(2)
Edible Uses:Inner bark – boiled. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread.(3)
Medicinal Uses :The bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge and tonic. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. An infusion of the bark has been used to ease and lessen menstrual flow.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POGR4
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+grandidentata
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#162 (g)
Common Name: Black Cottonwood, Swamp Cottonwood, Swamp Poplar (Populus heterophylla)
Appearance and Habitat: Most recently discovered Canadian tree (April 2003). Found in Bickford Woods south of Sarnia, Ont.(1)Found mainly on heavy waterlogged clay soils on the edges of swamps and bottom lands in eastern N. America – Connecticut to Goergia, west to Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Arkansas.(2)
Edible Uses:None(3)
Medicinal Uses :Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POHE4
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+heterophylla
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#162 (h)
Common Name: Black Poplar, Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra)
Appearance and Habitat: Moist ground in woods and by streams in central and southern Europe, including Britain, Mediterranean temperate Asia to the Himalayas. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in June.
Edible Uses: Inner bark – dried, ground then added to flour and used for making bread etc. A famine food, used when all else fails.
Medicinal Uses : The leaf buds are covered with a resinous sap that has a strong turpentine odour and a bitter taste. They also contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The buds are antiscorbutic, antiseptic, balsamic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, salve, stimulant, tonic and vulnerary. They are taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections, stomach and kidney disorders. They should not be prescribed to patients who are sensitive to aspirin. Externally, the buds are used to treat colds, sinusitis, arthritis, rheumatism, muscular pain and dry skin conditions. They can be put in hot water and used as an inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages. The buds are harvested in the spring before they open and are dried for later use. The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic and tonic. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+nigra
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#162 (i)
Common Name: Quaking Aspen, American Aspen, (Populus tremuloides)
Native American Name: Sinnabe(Shoshone)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: A 35-50 ft. deciduous tree, quaking aspen is pyramidal when young, usually developing a long trunk and narrow, rounded crown at maturity. Its small, nearly round, shiny leaves have a flattened petiole which allows them to quiver in the slightest breeze. Smooth, whitish-green bark becomes furrowed at the trunk’s base with age. Silvery catkins appear before leaves. Fall color is bright yellow. The names refer to the leaves, which in the slightest breeze tremble on their flattened leafstalks. The soft smooth bark is sometimes marked by bear claws. A pioneer tree after fires and logging and on abandoned fields, it is short-lived and replaced by conifers. Sometimes planted as an ornamental. Principal uses of the wood include pulpwood, boxes, furniture parts, matches, excelsior, and particle-board. The twigs and foliage are browsed by deer, elk, and moose, also by sheep and goats. Beavers, rabbits, and other mammals eat the bark, foliage, and buds, and grouse and quail feed on the winter buds.(2)  A pioneer species of old fields logged or burnt land, it is found in a range of soils from shallow, rocky or clay soils to rich sandy ones. It grows best in rich porous soils with plenty of lime. N. America – Alaska to Newfoundland, south to Mexico.(3)
Warnings: Possible toxic effects due to salicylates (e.g. heartburn, tinnitus). Avoid with ulcers, stomach or peptic ulcers.(4)
Edible Uses:Inner bark – raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a flour. This is normally mixed with other flours for making bread etc and can also be used as a thickener in soups. It is best used in the spring. Sap – can be tapped and used as a drink. It has also been used as a flavouring with wild strawberries. Catkins – raw or cooked. Bitter.(5)  The inner bark of cottonwoods and aspens was used for man and horses in hard times. Some Indians preferred it because of its sweetness.(6)
Medicinal Uses :American aspen has a long history of herbal use. It was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its antiseptic and analgesic qualities, using it in the treatment of wounds, skin complaints and respiratory disorders. It is used for the same purposes in modern herbalism. The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine and stimulant. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use. An infusion of the inner bark is considered to be a remedy for coughs and an appetite stimulant, it is also used in the treatment of stomach pains, urinary ailments, VD, worms, colds and fevers. The root is poulticed and applied to cuts and wounds. A tea from the root bark is used as a treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding. The leaf buds are used as a salve for colds, coughs and irritated nostrils. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Populus tremuloides American Aspen for haemorrhoids, wounds & burns.(7)
Foot Notes: (1, 6) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 17, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POTR5
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 7 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+tremuloides

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants #159 – 161 Water Cress/ Fleabane/ Syrian Rue

Tags

African Rue, Daisy Fleabane, Eastern Daisy Fleabane, edible fleabane, Erigeron annuus, Erigeron aphanactis, Erigeron philadelphicus, field craft, field medicine, home remedies, increase pulse strength, militia supply, Nasturtium officinale, Native American culture, native american medicine, Peganum harmala, preppers plants, remove tapeworms, Soma, treat baldness, treat chronic diarrhea, treat depression, treat eczematous, treat encephalitis, treat epilepsy, treat glandular tumors, treat gonorrhea, treat gout, treat headaches, treat hemorrhoids, treat high blood pressure, treat lymphatic swellings, treat menstrual problems, treat psoriasis, treat rheumatism, treat TB, treatment for brain swellings, treatment for dandruff, treatment for depression, treatment of glandular tumours, treatment of rheumatism, treatment of TB

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 
#159
Common Name: Water Cress
Latin Name: Nasturtium officinale
Family: Brassicaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=NAOF All states, except Hawaii and N. Dakota; In Canada; British Columbia to Quebec, plus New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Photos: Here
Appearance and Habitat: Introduced and naturalized. An erect or spreading, perennial, 4″-18″ tall, emergent aquatic, sometimes evergreen, forming large, tangled wintergreen masses; stems spreading; rooting from the lower nodes. The flower is white, 4-parted, 1/5″ wide, petals 2 times longer than the sepals; inflorescence a cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers from the ends of the shoots; blooms May-Oct. The leaf is pinnately-divided into 3-9 rounded leaflets with the end one longest. Found in sun; streams, springs, cold water; in limy, sedimentary, gravelly soil.(1)  Streams margins, ditches, flushes ect. with moving water, usually in chalk or limestone areas. Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia. A perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October.(2)
Warnings: Whilst the plant is very wholesome and nutritious, some care should be taken if harvesting it from the wild. Any plants growing in water that drains from fields where animals, particularly sheep, graze should not be used raw. This is due to the risk of it being infested with the liver fluke parasite. Cooking the leaves, however, will destroy any parasites and render the plant perfectly safe to eat. May inhabit the metabolism of paracetamol.(3)
Edible Uses: Leaves – raw or cooked. Water cress is mainly used as a garnish or as an addition to salads, the flavour is strong with a characteristic hotnes. It has a reputation as a spring tonic, and this is its main season of use, though it can be harvested for most of the year and can give 10 pickings annually. Some caution is advised if gathering the plant from the wild, see the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron. A nutritional analysis is available. The seed can be sprouted and eaten in salads. A hot mustardy flavour. The seed is ground into a powder and used as a mustard. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed – an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 – 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild but bitter mustard.(4)(Good break down on composition at the website.)
Medicinal Uses : Watercress is very rich in vitamins and minerals, and has long been valued as a food and medicinal plant. Considered a cleansing herb, its high content of vitamin C makes it a remedy that is particularly valuable for chronic illnesses. The leaves are antiscorbutic, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, purgative, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic, stimulant and stomachic. The plant has been used as a specific in the treatment of TB. The freshly pressed juice has been used internally and externally in the treatment of chest and kidney complaints, chronic irritations and inflammations of the skin etc. Applied externally, it has a long-standing reputation as an effective hair tonic, helping to promote the growth of thick hair. A poultice of the leaves is said to be an effective treatment for healing glandular tumours or lymphatic swellings. Some caution is advised, excessive use of the plant can lead to stomach upsets. The leaves can be harvested almost throughout the year and are used fresh.(5)
Foot Notes: (1)http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=NASOFF
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Nasturtium+officinale
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#160
Common Name: Daisy Fleabane, Rayless Shaggy Fleabane, Philadelphia Fleabane
Latin Name: Erigeron annuus, E. aphanactis, E. philadelphicus
Family: Asteraceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=eran All of the lower 48 States, except Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona; In Canada; British Columbia to Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Erigeron annuus)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ERAPA2 Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. (Erigeron aphanactis)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=erph All of the lower 48 States, except Utah and Arizona; All of Canada except Nunavut and Labrador. (Erigeron philadelphicus)
Photos : (Click on Latin name after common name )
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#160 (a)
Common Name: Daisy Fleabane, Eastern Daisy Fleabane, Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annuus)
Appearance and Habitat: An erect stem covered with spreading hairs bears flower heads with 40 or more tightly packed white to pale pink ray flowers surrounding the central yellow disk flowers. (1)   An erect native , 2′-4′ tall forb with dense foliage; stems with long spreading hairs. The flower has a head 1/2″ – 3/4″ wide with 80-125 white to pinkish rays up to 1/3″ long, disks yellow and flat; inflorescence of several to many heads; blooms June-Sept. The seeds are dry fluffy pappus. The leaves are described as, basal leaves elliptical and coarsely toothed, stem leaves widely lance-like, usually sharply toothed, and not clasping. It is found in disturbed areas.(2)   Fields and waste places. Prairies and open ground in various soil types in Texas. North America, naturalized in C. Europe. It is hardy to zone 3.(3)
Warnings: None.(4)
Edible Uses:Young plant – boiled. (5)
Medicinal Uses :None.(6)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERAN
Foot Notes: (2)http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=ERIANN
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Erigeron+annuus
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#160 (b)
Common Name: Shaggy Rayless Fleabane (Erigeron aphanactis)
Native American Name: Ah gwe shuh(Shoshone)
Appearance and Habitat: No information other than photos.
Edible Uses: Tea from plant
Medicinal Uses : A dwarf yellow aster, used at Owyhee as a cure for gonorrhea. The tea from the whole plant ws used.

Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 47, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
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#160 (c)
Common Name: Philadelphia Fleabane, Fleabane Daisy, Marsh Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)
Appearance and Habitat: The fleabane daisy grows along roadsides and in fields and woodlands. It has more than 150 threadlike, white ray flowers. The center, disk flowers are 5-toothed and yellow, and there are many flower heads to each much-branched stem. The yellow center with the large number of very fine ray flowers is the best identification. They are much finer than those of other daisies or asters. Flower heads are 1/2-3/4 inch across. The geneus name, from Greek eri (early) and geron (old man), presumably refers to the fact that the plant flowers early and has a hoary down suggesting an old mans beard. Robins Plaintain (E. pulchellus) is slightly shorter and has fewer, but larger, lilac or violet flower heads, as well as stem leaves that are sparse and stalkless but do not clasp the stem; it is insect-pollinated and also spreads actively by runners.(1)  An erect, biennial/perennial, 4″-36″ tall forb usually with long, spreading hairs. The flower head is 1/2′ – 3/4″ wide, 150-400 pink to white rays up to 1/3″ long, disks yellow and flat; inflorescence of usually more than 9 heads per cluster; blooms May-Aug. The fruit from the flowers, dry seed on fluffy pappus. It has basal leaves toothed, narrowly-oblong with a rounded tipped; stem leaves clasping. Found in wet areas, woods, shores, meadows. (2)   Thickets, fields, and woods in low prairies and streambanks, often on calcareous clays; in N. America – Labrador to British Columbia, south to Florida and California. A biennial/perennial growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower from Jul to August.(3)
Warnings: Contact with plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people.(4)
Edible Uses: None.(5)
Medicinal Uses : A tea made from the plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic and emmenagogue. It is used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea, gout, gravel, epilepsy and menstrual problems. A poultice of the plant is used to treat headaches and is also applied to sores. It should not be taken by pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage. A snuff made from the powdered florets is used to make a person with catarrh sneeze.(6)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERPH
Foot Notes: (2) http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=ERIPHI
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Erigeron+philadelphicus
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#161
Common Name: Syrian Rue, African Rue, Soma
Latin Name: Peganum harmala
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEHA Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Photos : Here
Appearance and Habitat: A native of northern India, Afghanistan and southern Russia that began growing in this country in 1930. Originally found near Fallon, Nevada and Deming, New Mexico; it has now spread to other states. It is found mostly on secondary dirt roads and paved roads. In grows in lower canyons, alluvial flats and grazing lands. In the past there have been eradication efforts because the plant is poisonous to sheep. The plant is bright green, composed of many 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 foot tall basal leaves that are theady in appearance. Through the warmer months it has 5 petaled flowers that grow from the leaf axils. The flowers mature into round hollow capsules which contain many small, angular seeds. Brown capsules are resent products, but turn grey in subsequent years. The root is grey-brown, pithy, with yellow heart-wood and is rather hard to dig up.(1)   Dry steppes, especially where grazing is heavy, and dry waste places. It is often found in saline soils. Europe – Mediterranean and southeastern Europe is its range. A perennial, growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 8. The seeds ripen in September. It cannot grow in the shade.(2)
Warnings: Use with caution. Although the seed is used medicinally and as a condiment, it does contain hallucinogenic and narcotic alkaloids. When taken is excess it causes hallucinations and vomiting.(3)
Edible Uses:Seed – used as a spice and purifying agent. Some caution is advised because the seed has narcotic properties, inducing a sense of euphoria and releasing inhibitions. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.(4)
Medicinal Uses :Alterative. The fruit and seed are digestive, diuretic, hallucinogenic, narcotic and uterine stimulant. They are taken internally in the treatment of stomach complaints, urinary and sexual disorders, epilepsy, menstrual problems, mental and nervous illnesses. The seed has also been used as an anthelmintic in order to rid the body of tapeworms. This remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the guidance of a qualified practitioner since excessive doses cause vomiting and hallucinations. The seeds contain the substance ‘harmine’ which is being used in research into mental disease, encephalitis and inflammation of the brain. Small quantities stimulate the brain and are said to be therapeutic, but in excess harmine depresses the central nervous system. A crude preparation of the seed is more effective than an extract because of the presence of related indoles. Consumption of the seed in quantity induces a sense of euphoria and releases inhibitions. It has been used in the past as a truth drug. The oil obtained from the seed is said to be aphrodisiac. The oil is also said to have galactogogue, ophthalmic, soporific and vermifuge properties. The seed is used externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids and baldness. The whole plant is said to be abortifacient, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue and galactogogue. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism. The root has been used as a parasiticide in order to kill body lice. It is also used internally in the treatment of rheumatism and nervous conditions.(5)  The root and seeds remain stable for years and make good medicine, while the foliage is useful for only a year. Recent Russian studies have verified many of the folk remedies. The plant is useful for treating skin conditions such as eczematous, exfoliative dermatitis and psoriasis. They respond well to an external wash of the seed tincture or root tincture or tea. The herb tea is an excellent hair and scalp treatment for dandruff, using it after a shampoo, but tends to make the hair stiff. The seeds in tincture (40 drops), or in a #00 capsule will treat depression and make a good anti-depressant. It won’t help with manic depression however. The seed tincture has cardiovascular effects as well, it increases the force of the pulse and aortal flow, while decreasing the pulse rate. It treats high blood pressure in this fashion. The dry herb can be used as a tea or tincture. For the tea, boil 32 parts water to 1 part dried herb (by weight), remove from the heat source and allow it to sit for up to an hour, strain out the plant and return the water to the original level. For the plant tincture or seed tincture (grind seeds) use part dried plant to 5 parts of 50% vodka, place in a jar and shake daily for a week. For the root tincture, follow the same procedure but use 60% vodka at a rate of 1 part dried root to 5 parts vodka. Ingesting up to a dozen capsules of the seed will cause hallucinations.(6)
Other Uses :A red dye is obtained from the seed. It is widely used in Western Asia, especially as a colouring for carpets. The ripe seed contains 3.8 – 5.8% of the alkaloids harmine, harmaline, harmalol and peganine. Ineffective as a contact poison, they are active in vapour form where they are effective against algae, in higher concentrations to water animals and lethal to moulds, bacteria and intestinal parasites. The seed is used as an incense.(7)
Foot Notes: (1, 6 ) Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West by Michael Moore, pages 120-121, Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 1989, ISBN 0-80913-182-1
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5, 7 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Peganum+harmala

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants 158 Sage (part-1)

Tags

Azure Blue Sage, Chia, edible Sage, field craft, field medicine, home remedies, Lanceleaf Sage, militia supply, Native American culture, Native American food, native american medicine, prepper's plant, remove warts, sage ointment for wounds, Sage poultice, Salvia apiana, Salvia ballotiflora, Salvia carduacea, Salvia columbariae, Salvia lyrata, Salvia microphylla, Salvia officinalis, Salvia pratensis, Salvia sclarea, teatment of gunshot wounds, treat colds, treat excessive salivation, treat fevers, treat gunshot wounds, treat insect bites, treat sores, treatment for cancer, treatment for night sweats, White Sage

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 
#158
Common Name: Sage, Silver Sage, Chia, Lanceleaf Sage, Azure Blue Sage, White Sage
Latin Name: Salvia apiana, S. ballotiflora, S. carduacea, S. columbariae, S. microphylla, S. lyrata, S. officinalis, S. pratensis, S. sclarea
Family: Lamiaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SALVI All States except Alaska and New Hampshire; In Canada; British Columbia to Quebec. This is the main database for Sage.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAAP2 California. (Salvia apiana)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SABA5 Texas. (Salvia ballotiflora)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SACA8 California. (Salvia carduacea)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SACO6 California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. (Salvia columbariae)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAMI20 California, Arizona and New Mexico. (Salvia microphylla)
 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SALY2 All States east of the Mississippi R., except Wisconsin, and states north of New York and Connecticut, plus Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. (Salvia lyrata)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAOF2 Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, W. Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and California; In Canada; Ontario and Quebec. (Salvia officinalis)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAPR2 Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, S. Dakota, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho and Washington; In Canada; Ontario. (Salvia pratensis)
 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SASC2 Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington; In Canada; Ontario. (Salvia sclarea)
Photos : (Click on Latin name after common name )
Warnings: None on PFAF website, except for Salvia officinalis
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#158 (a)
Common Name: White Sage, California White Sage (Salvia apiana)
Appearance and Habitat: A low, soft-stemmed, aromatic subshrub with long wands of whitish-lavender flowers. Silvery foliage occurs in 2 ft. mounds, subtending the 5 ft. flowering stalks. A woody shrub, with erect whitish branches. White Sage is a member of the mint family (family Lamiaceae), which includes aromatic herbs or shrubs (rarely trees or vines), usually with stems square in cross-section, four-sided.There are about 200 genera and 3,200 species, distributed nearly worldwide. The Mediterranean region, the chief area of diversity, produces many spices and flavorings, such as various mints, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, and basil. Catnip and lavender are in the mint family.(1)  Dry benches and slopes below 1500 meters in south-western N. America – California. A perennial growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from Apr to July.(2)
Edible Uses:Seed – raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a mush. The seed has been mixed with cereals such as oats or wheat, toasted then ground into a fine powder and eaten dry. The seed can also be soaked overnight and used as a drink in water or fruit juice or eaten with cereals. The seed is also used as a spice. The leaves are used in cooking. They can be used as a flavouring in seed mushes. Stem tops. The young stalks can be eaten raw. Ripe stem tops can be peeled and eaten raw.(3)
Medicinal Uses :An infusion of the leaves is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs and colds. The leaves can be eaten, or used as a sweat bath, in the treatment of colds. The seeds have been used as eye cleaners. No more information is given here, but in other instances the seed has been placed in the eye, it then forms a gelatinous covering to which any foreign matter in the eye adheres. The seed is washed out of the eye by the eyes own tears.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAAP2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+apiana
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#158 (b)
Common Name: Shrubby Blue Sage, Mejorana (Salvia ballotiflora )
Appearance and Habitat: A much-branched aromatic shrub with square stems. Leaves are opposite with serrated margins, hairy above and below. Flowers bluish-purple in elongated clusters. (1)Dry places in coastal sage shrub in California. South-western N. America – California to Texas. An annual.(2)
Edible Uses:An infusion of the aromatic flowering tops is used as a herb tea.(3)
Medicinal Uses :None(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SABA5
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+ballotaeflora
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#158 (c)
Common Name: Thistle Sage, (Salvia carduacea)
Appearance and Habitat: A handsome, whitish-woolly plant with vivid lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a stacked series of prickly round clusters near top of leafless stems. This is one of the most beautiful native sages; the brilliant lavender flowers are strikingly contrasted against the pale foliage, and the vermilion anthers provide color accent.(1)  Sandy gravelly places below 1350 meters. Open nad grassy places in south-western N. America- California. An annual / perennial growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower in July.(2)
Edible Uses:Seed – raw or cooked. It can be roasted, then ground into a powder and used with other seeds as a mush. The seeds can be added to wheat to improve the flavour. It can also be used as a cooling beverage.(3)
Medicinal Uses :None(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SACA8
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+carduacea
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#158 (d)
Common Name: Chia, California Sage, Golden Chia, (Salvia columbariae)
Appearance and Habitat: Tiny, blue flowers are aggregated in several balls along the square stems of this 4-20 in. annual. The leaves are mostly basal, once or twice pinnate and velvety. California sage smells distinctly skunky. Chia (pronounced chee-ah) is the common name for several Salvia species from which Indians made pinole; a meal ground from parched seeds. When steeped in water the seeds also produced a thick, mucilaginous drink.(1)  Dry open places below 1200 meters in south-western N. America. An annual / perennial growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.(2)
Edible Uses: Seeds roasted, ground into meal, water added to make gruel. Native American messenger runner’s carried ripe seeds in belt pouches and ate them on route. Pomo Indians ground the seeds for pinole. Chia is the Spanish name for this plant. Cortez found Mexican natives using these seeds parched and ground into meal.(3)  Seed – raw or cooked. Usually ground into a powder and used as piñole or made into dark-coloured cakes and loaves, it has a nutty flavour. It can also be mixed with corn meal when making mush or with ground wheat for gruel. Rich in niacin, thiamine, zinc, calcium and manganese, it is also a good source of protein and easily digested fats. It has a high food value and is easily digested. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads and sandwiches. A refreshing drink can be made by steeping the seed in cold water. Alternatively, the seed can be roasted and ground into a powder then mixed with water when it soon becomes a copious gelatinous mass. It is very palatable and nutritious. The seed has been used to render water palatable by removing the alkalis. The leaves are occasionally used as a sage-like seasoning.(4)
Medicinal Uses :Mission fathers used an infusion of the seeds for fevers and for cooling drinks. The ’49ers used the seeds for gunshot wounds, in a poultice.(5)  The seed is digestive, disinfectant, febrifuge and ophthalmic. An infusion can be used in the treatment of fevers. A poultice of the seed mush can be applied to infections. The seeds have been kept in the mouth, and chewed during long journeys on foot, in order to give strength. The seeds have been used to cleanse the eyes or remove foreign matter from the eyes. No more information is given here, but in other instances the seed has been placed in the eye, it then forms a gelatinous covering to which any foreign matter in the eye adheres. The seed is washed out of the eye by the eyes own tears.(6)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SACO6
Foot Notes: (2, 4, 6 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+columbariae
Foot Notes: ( 3, 5 ) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 28, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
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#158 (e)
Common Name: Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed, (Salvia lyrata)
Appearance and Habitat: Lyreleaf sage is a strictly upright, hairy perennial, 1-2 ft. tall with a rosette of leaves at the base. The leaves are deeply 3-lobed, with a few simple leaves higher up on the stem. Large basal leaves are purple-tinged in the winter. This species has the typical square stem and 2-lipped blossom of the mints. Its pale-blue to violet, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls around the stem forming an interrupted, terminal spike. Each blossom is about 1 inch long. The 2-lobed lower lip is much longer than the upper, which has 3 lobes, the middle one forming a sort of hood. The sepals are purplish-brown. Lyreleaf sage makes a great evergreen groundcover, with somewhat ajuga-like foliage and showy blue flowers in spring. It will reseed easily in loose, sandy soils and can form a solid cover with regular watering. It even takes mowing and can be walked on. The exposed lower lip of this and other salvias provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.(1)  Sandy soils and lawns in Eastern N. America – Pennsylvania to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois. A perennial growing 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from Jul to August.(2)
Edible Uses:None(3)
Medicinal Uses :The plant is diaphoretic and mildly laxative. It can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea, coughs and colds. The fresh leaves are applied to remove warts. The plant is also a folk remedy for cancer. The leaves and seeds are made into an ointment to cure wounds and sores. The root can be used to make a salve for sores.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SALY2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+lyrata
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#158 (f)
Common Name: Baby Sage, Blackcurrant Sage, (Salvia microphylla)
Appearance and Habitat: Southern N. America -Mexico to Guatemala. An evergreen perennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Aug to October.
Edible Uses: The leaves have a pleasant scent of blackcurrant and can be used fresh or dried as a flavouring. A herbal tea, called ‘mirot de montes’, is made from the leaves.
Medicinal Uses : An infusion of the flowers and leaves have been used in the treatment of fevers.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+microphylla
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#158 (g)
Common Name: Sage, Kitchen Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Appearance and Habitat: Dry banks and stony places, usually in limestone areas and often where there is very little soil. Southern Europe. An evergreen shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.
Warnings: The plant can be toxic when used in excesss or when taken for extended periods of time. Symptoms include: restlessness, vomiting, vertigo, tremors, seizures. Contraindicated during pregnancy. Avoid if predisposed to convulsions.
Edible Uses: Leaves and flowers – raw or cooked. A very common herb, the strongly aromatic leaves are used as a flavouring in cooked foods. They are an aid to digestion and so are often used with heavy, oily foods. They impart a sausage-like flavour to savoury dishes. The young leaves and flowers can be eaten raw, boiled, pickled or used in sandwiches. The flowers can also be sprinkled on salads to add colour and fragrance. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves, it is said to improve the digestion. An essential oil obtained from the plant is used commercially to flavour ice cream, sweets, baked goods etc.
Medicinal Uses : Sage has a very long history of effective medicinal use and is an important domestic herbal remedy for disorders of the digestive system. Its antiseptic qualities make it an effective gargle for the mouth where it can heal sore throats, ulcers etc. The leaves applied to an aching tooth will often relieve the pain. The whole herb is antihydrotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, galactofuge, stimulant, tonic and vasodilator. Sage is also used internally in the treatment of excessive lactation, night sweats, excessive salivation (as in Parkinson’s disease), profuse perspiration (as in TB), anxiety, depression, female sterility and menopausal problems. Many herbalists believe that the purple-leafed forms of this species are more potent medicinally. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women or to people who have epileptic fits. The plant is toxic in excess or when taken for extended periods – though the toxic dose is very large. Externally, it is used to treat insect bites, skin, throat, mouth and gum infections and vaginal discharge. The leaves are best harvested before the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use. The essential oil from the plant is used in small doses to remove heavy collections of mucous from the respiratory organs and mixed in embrocations for treating rheumatism. In larger doses, however, it can cause epileptic fits, giddiness etc. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is ‘Tonic’. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Salvia officinalis Sage for loss of appetite, inflammation of the mouth, excessive perspiration.
 http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+officinalis
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#158 (h)
Common Name: Introduced Sage, Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis)
Appearance and Habitat: A rare native of Britain, from scandanavia south nad east to Spain, Serbia, the Crimea, Bulgaria. A perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower from Jul to August.
Edible Uses: The pungent, bitter flavoured herb has been used as a flavouring in beers and wines. It is also used as an adulterant of sage
Medicinal Uses : None
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+pratensis
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#158 (i)
Common Name: European Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)
Appearance and Habitat: Rocky igneous slopes, mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland, shale banks and roadsides to 2000 meters in Turkey. Southern Europe to Syria. A biennial / perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September.
Edible Uses: Leaves – raw or cooked. A strong, warm, aromatic taste and odour. They are used mainly as a flavouring in cooked foods, they are similar to sage (S. officinalis). The leaves can be dipped in batter and cooked to make delicious fritters. Flowers – raw. A pleasant taste, they can be sprinkled on chopped salads, or made into a tea. The plant is sometimes used as a hop substitute in flavouring beer, imparting considerable bitterness and intoxicating properties – it either makes people dead drunk or insanely exhilarated. The leaves have also been used to adulterate wine and give it a muscatel flavour.
Medicinal Uses : Clary has been perceived both as a weaker version of sage (Salvia officinalis) and also as a significant herb in its own right. An antispasmodic and aromatic plant, it is used mainly to treat digestive problems such as wind and indigestion. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve period pain and pre-menstrual problems. Owing to its oestrogen-stimulating action, it is most effective when levels of this hormone are low. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is antispasmodic, appetizer, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, pectoral and tonic. It is useful in treating disorders of the stomach and kidneys and is a valuable remedy for complaints associated with the menopause, particularly hot flushing. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested before the plant comes into flower. The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is ‘Euphoric’.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salvia+sclarea

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants 147 Onions/Leeks/Garlic (Part 3)

Tags

Allium falcifolium, Allium stellatum, Allium textile, Allium tricoccum, Allium unifolium, Allium validum, Allium vineale, antiasthmatic, Autumn Onion, Crow Garlic, field craft, home remedies, home remedy, militia supply, Native American culture, native american medicine, Oneleaf Onion, Pacific Onion, Prairie Onion, prepper's plant, Ramp, Scytheleaf Onion, Swamp Onion, treat colds, treat earaches, treat high blood pressure, treat high cholesterol, treat shortness of breath, treat stings, treatment of colds, treatment of earaches, treatment to prevent worms, treatment to reduce blood pressure, Wild Garlic, Wild Leek, Wood Leek

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. )
#147 (Part 3)
Common Name: Onion/Garlic/Leeks
Latin Name: Allium stellatum, A. textile, A. tricoccum, A. unifolium, A. validum, A. vineale, A. falcifolium 
Family: Liliaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALLIU All States, except Hawaii, all of Canada, except Nunavut; this is the main database for USDA.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALST Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, N. and S. Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming; In Canada; Saskatchewan to Ontario. (Allium stellatum)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALTE Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota to Kansas, Montana to New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Washington; In Canada; Alberta to Manitoba. (Allium textile)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALTR3 All States east of the Mississippi R., except Florida, S. Carolina and Mississippi; plus Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, N. Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma; In Canada; Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Allium tricoccum)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALUN Oregon and California. (Allium unifolium)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALVA Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and California; In Canada; British Columbia. (Allium validum)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALVI All States east of the Mississippi, except New Hampshire; plus Iowa to Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska; In Canada; Brtish Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. (Allium vineale)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALFA3 Oregon and California. (Allium falcifolium)
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.)
Warnings: Unless PFAF has some warnings, besides “don’t feed large quantities to dogs” I won’t list their warnings. See part 1 on PFAF warnings.
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#147(r)
Common Name: Autumn Onion, Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum )
Appearance and Habitat: A 1-2 ft., chive-like perennial forming tufts of slender, solid leaves and stems. The green leaves appear in spring and die back as the flowering stalks appear. Umbels of rose-pink to lavender flowers form erect, 3-4 in. wide balls. The bulbs of wild onions have a strong flavor but can be eaten raw or parboiled. Early explorers ate them, and they were also used by settlers to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. Chives (A. schoenoprasum) has hollow leaves and long, narrow, sharply pointed, lavender petals; it was introduced from Europe in the northeastern United States and in Canada from Alberta to Newfoundland.(1)  Rocky prairies, slopes, shores and ridges. Usually found on limestone soils in N. America – Illinois and Minnesota to Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. A bulb growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in July.(2)
Edible Uses:Bulb – raw or cooked. The bulbs are eaten by the N. American Indians. They are rather small, about 4cm tall and 15mm wide. Leaves – raw or cooked. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads.(3)
Medicinal Uses :A sweetened decoction of the root has been taken, mainly by children, as a remedy for colds. Although no other specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALST
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+stellatum
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#147(s)
Common Name: Textile Onion (Allium textile )
Appearance and Habitat: Bulbs 1–3+, not rhizomatous, without basal bulbels, ovoid, 1.2–2.5 × 1–2 cm; outer coats enclosing 1 or more bulbs, gray or brown, reticulate, cells fine-meshed, open, fibrous; inner coats whitish, cells vertically elongate and regular or obscure. Leaves persistent, green at anthesis, 2, sheathing; blade solid, ± straight, channeled, semiterete, 10–40 cm × 1–3(–5) mm, margins entire or denticulate. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, ± terete, 5–30(–40) cm × 1–3 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, compact to ± loose, 15–30-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 3, usually 1-veined, ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers urceolate to campanulate, 5–7 mm; tepals erect, white or rarely pink, with red or reddish brown midribs; outer whorl broadly ovate to lanceolate, unequal, becoming callous-keeled and permanently investing capsule, margins often obscurely toothed apically, apex obtuse to acuminate; inner whorl narrower, margins entire, apex distinctly spreading; stamens included; anthers yellow; pollen yellow; ovary ± conspicuously crested; processes 6, central, distinct or connate in pairs across septa, ± erect, rounded, to 1 mm, margins entire, becoming variously developed or obsolete in fruit; style linear, equaling filaments; stigma capitate, unlobed or obscurely lobed; pedicel 5–20 mm. Seed coat shining; cells ± smooth, without central papillae. Flowering May–Jun. Dry plains and hills; 300–2400 m; Alta., Man., Sask.; Colo., Idaho, Iowa, Kans., Minn., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., S.Dak., Utah, Wash., Wyo.(1)  Dry prairies, calcareous rocks and open woods in N. America – Saskatchewan to South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona. A bulb growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from May to July.(2)
Edible Uses:Bulb – raw or cooked. Fairly large, the bulb is up to 2cm in diameter. It is used as an onion substitute in stews etc. The bulb can be eaten fresh or can be stored for later use. Leaves – raw or cooked. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads.(3)
Medicinal Uses :Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101407
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+textile
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#147(t)
Common Name: Ramp, Wild Leek, Wood Leek (Allium tricoccum )
Appearance and Habitat: Two long, glossy, oval leaves appear in early spring and wither away before the smooth, 6-10 in. flowering stalk matures. Small white flowers occur in a hemispherical, terminal cluster of creamy-white flowers; plant has a mild onion taste. In late April, before this species comes into flower, the people of the Great Smoky Mountains gather the plants for their annual Ramp Festival. The foliage and bulbs can be used in salads and soups. Native Americans treated stings with juice from the crushed bulbs.(1)  Rich woods and bottoms, preferring slopes and streamsides. Usually in beech or maple woods in Eastern N. America – Quebec, south to Virginia and Iowa. A bulb growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 6-Mar It is in flower from Jun to July.(2)
Edible Uses:Bulb – raw or cooked. Used mainly as a flavouring in salads and savoury dishes. This is one of the best N. American wild species for sweetness and flavour. A mild sweet flavour, resembling leeks. The bulb is rather small, it is up to 12mm wide and 50mm tall and is produced in clusters on a rhizome. Leaves – raw or cooked. The unfolding leaves in spring have a mild sweet flavour, resembling leeks. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads. A hot onion flavour.(3)
Medicinal Uses :This species probably has most of the medicinal virtues of garlic (Allium sativum) but in a milder form. Traditionally the leaves were used in the treatment of colds and croup, and also as a spring tonic. The warm juice of the leaves and bulb was used externally in the treatment of earaches. A strong decoction of the root is emetic.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALTR3
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+tricoccum
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#147(u)
Common Name: Oneleaf Onion (Allium unifolium )
Native American Name: Ammo (Shoshone)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: Bulbs solitary, replaced annually by new bulbs borne terminally on secondary rhizome; rhizomes 1–3, conspicuous, to 5 cm, smooth; parent bulbs disappearing by anthesis except for still-functional roots and bulb coat, ovoid to oblique-ovoid, 1–2 × 0.8–1.5 cm; outer coats not enclosing bulbs, pale brown, delicately cellular-reticulate, membranous, cells ± rectangular, without fibers; inner coats white, cells obscure, ± transversely elongate, contorted. Leaves persistent, green or withering from tip at anthesis, 2–3, basally sheathing, sheaths not extending much above soil surface; blade solid, flattened, sometimes carinate abaxially, ± falcate, 18–50 cm × 4–10 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, solid, terete, 20–80 cm × 2–7 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, loose, 15–35-flowered, hemispheric, bulbils unknown; spathe bracts persistent, 2, 6–8-veined, lance-ovate to broadly ovate, ± equal, apex acuminate. Flowers stellate, 11–15 mm; tepals spreading, bright pink or rarely white, obovate to ovate, unequal, becoming papery and connivent over capsule, margins entire, apex acute to obtuse or emarginate, inner shorter and narrower than outer; stamens included; anthers yellow or purple; pollen yellow or gray; ovary crestless, 3-grooved, with thickened ridge on either side of groove; style linear, equaling stamens; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed or obscurely 3-lobed; pedicel 15–40 mm. Seed coat dull; cells minutely roughened. Flowering May–Jun. Moist, clay soils, including serpentine, usually along streams; 0–1100 m; Calif., Oreg. The long, relatively thick rhizomes that develop annually from the bulbs are very characteristic of Allium unifolium and almost unique in North America. Only A. glandulosum Link & Otto and A. rhizomatum Wooton & Standley have similar rhizomes, but these species are not closely related to A. unifolium. Allium unifolium is known only from the Coast Ranges.(2)  Moist soils in pine or mixed everbgreen forests in the coastal ranges of California. South-western N America – California and Oregon. A bulb growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to July.(3)
Edible Uses:Bulb – raw or cooked. The bulbs are 10 – 15mm in diameter. Together with the young shoots, they are fried and eaten. Leaves – raw or cooked. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads.(4)
Medicinal Uses :Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.(5)
Foot Notes: (1) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 68, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101413
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+unifolium
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#147(v)
Common Name: Pacific Onion, Swamp Onion (Allium validum ) Appearance and Habitat: From vigorous rhizomes occur large patches of flat, upright leaves, and flowering stalks to 1-3 ft. in height. Purple-pink flowers occur in tight clusters.(1)  Swampy meadows at medium to high elevations in the mountains of South-western N. America – Idaho to California. A bulb growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from Jul to August.(2)
Edible Uses:Bulb – raw or cooked. The bulb is somewhat fibrous but is very acceptable as a flavouring in soups and stews. The bulb is fairly large, up to 5cm in diameter, and is produced in clusters. The plant has thick iris-like rhizomes. Leaves – raw or cooked. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads.(3)
Medicinal Uses :Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALVA
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+validum
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#147(w)
Common Name: Wild Garlic, Crow Garlic (Allium vineale )
Appearance and Habitat: Bulbs 5–20, clustered, stipitate, hard-shelled, asymmetric, ovoid, 1–2 × 1–2 cm; outer coats enclosing bulbs, brownish to yellowish, membranous, vertically striate, splitting into parallel strips and fibers, cells arranged in ± wavy rows, vertical; inner coats white to light brown, cells obscure, vertically elongate. Leaves persistent, green at anthesis, 2–4, sheathing at least proximal 1/2 scape; blade hollow below middle, terete, cylindric or filiform, not carinate, 20–60 cm × 2–4 mm, margins entire. Scape persistent, solitary, erect, terete, 30–120 cm × 1.5–4 mm. Umbel persistent, erect, ± compact, 0–50-flowered, subglobose to ovoid or hemispheric, flowering pedicels all or in part replaced by bulbils; bulbils sessile, basally narrowed, 4–6 × 2–3 mm; spathe bract caducous, 1, 2–several-veined, ovate, apex caudate, beaked, beak ± equaling or longer than base. Flowers campanulate, 3–4 mm; tepals erect, greenish to purple, elliptic-lanceolate, ± equal, withering in fruit, margins entire, apex obtuse; stamens exserted, outer 3 filaments without appendages, inner 3 filaments with 2 prominent lateral appendages; anthers purple; pollen white; ovary crestless; style exserted, linear, ± equaling stamen; stigma capitate, scarcely thickened, unlobed; flowering pedicel 10–20 mm. Seed coat shining; cells smooth. Flowering Jun–Aug. Disturbed areas often adjacent to agricultural lands; 0–700 m; introduced; Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Calif., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind. Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.; Europe. Allium vineale is also expected to be found in Wisconsin and Texas; specimens were not seen. It is a noxious weed, apparently introduced from Europe in colonial times. The small, wheat-sized bulbils frequently contaminated wheat grown in infested areas. Bread made from such wheat was garlic-flavored, and cows grazing in infested pastures produce garlic-flavored milk.(1)  Fields and roadsides to elevations of 450 meters in Britain, often a serious weed of pastures. Much of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and Lebanon. A bulb growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 8-Oct It is in flower from Jun to July, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.(2)
Edible Uses:Leaves – raw or cooked. Rather stringy, they are used as a garlic substitute. The leaves are available from late autumn until the following summer, when used sparingly they make a nice addition to the salad bowl. Bulb – used as a flavouring. Rather small, with a very strong flavour and odour. The bulbs are 10 – 20mm in diameter. Bulbils – raw or cooked. Rather small and fiddly, they have a strong garlic-like flavour.(3)
Medicinal Uses :The whole plant is antiasthmatic, blood purifier, carminative, cathartic, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, stimulant and vasodilator. A tincture is used to prevent worms and colic in children, and also as a remedy for croup. The raw root can be eaten to reduce blood pressure and also to ease shortness of breath. Although no other specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.(4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101415
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+vineale
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Bonus : ( Before leaving Onions, Leeks, and Garlic behind, I have some data on another species. Sorry it is out of alphabetical Order.)
#147(x)
Common Name: Scytheleaf Onion, Indian Garlic (Allium falcifolium )
Native American Name: Podzimo (Shoshone)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: A very low wild onion with two thick, flat leaves only slightly exceeding the 3-5 in. flowering stems in height. Small umbels of deep rose to nearly white flowers top the flowering stems.(2)  In the high mountains on dry rocky plains grows the dwarf pink garlic. It has blue-green sickle-shaped leaves, flat, and a pretty flower. The bulb is also a deep pink color and is very strong to the taste. (3)(meaning it is edible)
Foot Notes: (1, 3) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 14, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ALFA3

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medical Plants 145 -146 Oregon Grape (part 2)- Pennyroyal

Tags

Agarita, edible Barberry, edible Oregon Grape, edible Pennyroyal, Hedeoma pulegioides, home remedies, Laredo Mahonia, Mahonia swaseyi, Mahonia trifoliolata, Mentha pulegium, Mexican Barberry, militia supply, Modarella odoratissima, Monardella villosa, Native American culture, native american medicine, prepper plants, repel biting insects, Texas Barberry, treat aerobacter infections, treat amoebic dysentary, treat candida infections, treat chronic liver malfunctions, treat colds, treat E. coli, treat eczema, treat fevers, treat inflamed eyes, treat klebstiella infections, treat lipid free radicals, treat pseudomas infections, treat psoriasis, treat rheumatic conditions, treat shigella infections, treat staph infections, treat staphylococcus aureus, treat stomach aches, treat whooping cough, treatment for amoebic dysentary, treatment for Candida albicans infections, treatment for fevers, treatment for lipid free radicals, treatment for staph infections, treatment for tumors, treatment of flatulence, treatment of stomach aches

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. )
#145 (part 2)
Common Name: Oregon Grape, Holly Grape, Creeping Barberry, Yerba de Sangre, Barberry
Latin Name: Mahonia aquifolium, M. bealei, M. fremontii, M. haematocarpa, M. nervosa, M. pinnata, m. repens, M. swaseyi, M. trifoliolata, M. wilcoxii
Family: Berberidaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAHON All of the lower 48 States except Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa south through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, and New England north of New York; In Canada; found in British Columbia, Alberta, Onatrio and Quebec. This is the main database.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MASW Texas. (Mahonia swaseyi)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MATR3 Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. (Mahonia trifoliolata)
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.)
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#145(h)
Common Name: Texas Barberry (Mahonia swaseyi )
Appearance and Habitat: Shrubs , evergreen, 1-2 m. Stems ± dimorphic, with elongate primary and short or somewhat elongate axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems purple, glabrous. Bud scales 1.5-4 mm, deciduous. Spines absent. Leaves 5-9-foliolate (basal pair of leaflets sometimes reduced to bristles); petioles 0.1-0.5 cm. Leaflet blades thin or thick and rigid; surfaces abaxially dull, papillose, adaxially dull, somewhat glaucous; terminal leaflet stalked (sessile in a few leaves), blades 1.8-3.5 × 0.7-1.7 cm, 1.3-4.7 times as long as wide; lateral leaflets oblong to elliptic or lanceolate, 1-veined from base, base truncate to obtuse, rarely acute, margins plane or undulate, toothed, each with 3-8 teeth 0.5-2 mm high tipped with spines to 0.6-1.2 × 0.1-0.2 mm, apex rounded to acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, lax, 2-6-flowered, 4-6 cm; bracteoles leathery, apex spinose-acuminate, sometimes with proximal bracteoles as described, distal membranous and acuminate. Flowers: anther filaments with distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries white or red and somewhat glaucous, spheric, 9-16 mm, dry or juicy, hollow. Flowering winter-spring (Feb-Apr). Limestone ridges and canyons; 150-600 m; Tex.  (1)Beside rocky streams in Texas. Edemic to the Edwards Plateau in Texas, where it grows on limestone ridges and canyons at elevations of 150 to 600 meters. An evergreen shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).  It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May.  (2)
Warnings: None(3)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw but more usually cooked in preserves. Pleasantly acid, it can also be dried and used as raisins. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. The fruit, which can be dry or juicy, is up to 15mm in diameter. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (4)
Medicinal Uses :Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.(5)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500241
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+swaseyi
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#145(i)
Common Name: Agarita, Laredo Mahonia, Laredo Oregon Grape, Mexican Barberry (Mahonia trifoliolata )
Appearance and Habitat: This 3-6 ft. evergreen shrub, can reach 8 ft. in favorable conditions. The rigid, spreading branches often form thickets. Gray-green to blue-gray, trifoliate, holly-like leaves are alternate, 2–4 inches long, divided into three leaflets which have 3–7 lobes ending in sharp spines. Wood bright yellow. Flowers numerous, yellow, up to 1/2 inch wide with 6 petals and 6 sepals, which are similar, forming a cup shape around the stamens and pistils. Flowers appearing in February and March, their fragrance often filling the air where they are plentiful. Fruit a red berry, edible appearing from May to July.(1)Shrubs , evergreen, 1-3.5 m. Stems ± dimorphic, with elongate primary and short axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems gray or grayish purple, glabrous. Bud scales 2-3 mm, deciduous. Spines absent. Leaves 3-foliolate; petioles 0.8-5.4 cm. Leaflet blades thick and rigid; surfaces abaxially dull, papillose, adaxially dull, ± glaucous; terminal leaflet sessile, blade 2.3-5.8 × 0.9-2 cm, 1.6-3.1 times as long as wide; lateral leaflet blades narrowly lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 1-veined from base, base acute or acuminate, rarely rounded-acute, margins plane, toothed or lobed, with 1-3 teeth or lobes 3-7 mm high tipped with spines to 1-2 × 0.2-0.3 mm, apex narrowly acute or acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, lax, 1-8-flowered, 0.5-3 cm; bracteoles membranous, apex acuminate. Flowers: anther filaments without distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries red, sometimes glaucous, spheric, 6-11 mm, juicy, solid. Flowering winter-spring (Feb-Apr). Slopes and flats in grassland, shrubland, and sometimes open woodland; 0-2000 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; Northern Mexico.  (2)  Dry calcareous soils, slopes and flat grassland, shrubland, and sometimes open woodland at elevations from 0 to 2000 meters. In South-western N. America – Texas, Arizona and Mexico. It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May.  (3)
Warnings: None(4)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. An acid flavour but nice, especially when added to porridges or muesli. A subtle tart flavour, it is pleasant to eat raw. Unfortunately there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. The fruit is also used to make preserves. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (5)
Medicinal Uses :Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.(6)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MATR3
Foot Notes: (2)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500243
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+trifoliolata
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(Now for Michael Moore who covers all of them in the west and ( Mahonia wilcoxii) )
Appearance and Habitat: On all species the leaves as pinnate, on some, such as M. aquifolium, M. pinnata, M. wilcoxii, M. nervosa and M. repens the leaves are broad and ivy like with prickles on the edges. They are also a darker green above, and lighter below. There are usually 7 – 9 pairs of leaves along a thin and tough stem. Mohania wilcoxii is found in southeasten Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. It lives in the Sonora desert. Mahonia repens and M. nervosa are creeping growth plants, who’s stems are seldom more than an inch or two above the ground and spread by thin rootlets forming colonies. M. repens leaves turn red in the fall. All have bright green leaves, with M. nervosa almost looking plastic in appearance. M. fremontii, M. haematocarpa and M. trioliolata are spiney bushes found along dry hillsides in their range. They are covered with sharp edged thin leaves with 3-5 leaves along the stems. Regardless of species they always have yellow flowers that grow in clusters. The flowers mature into dark blue or red berries. The branches, roots and stems all have a yellow center from the presence of berberine, an orange alkaloid. You will find M. pinnata growing along the coastal ranges of California. In the north it hybridizes with M. aquifolium, which grows into Canada. M. repens is quite common in the Great Basin, the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico then eastward to the Great Lakes. Look for M. trifoliolata along the southern Rio Grande and into Chihuahua in Mexico.
Medicinal Uses : Collect the roots and stems at any time and dry them in a paper bag breaking them as small as possible while still fresh. For tea collect the leaves and dry them in a paper sack. The leaves can be crushed and put in #00 capsules, taken 3 times a day. The leaves can also be made into tea by using 32 parts boiling water to one part plant, taking the water off the heat source once it boils and allow to cool. After cooling return the level of water to 32 parts. Grinding the stems and roots can be a problem, they will damage a blender, so best to grind them in a solidly placed hand grinder. A fresh tincture can also be made of the roots and stems at 1 part plant to 2 parts 50% vodka, or a dry tincture at 1 part dried plant to 5 parts 50% vodka. Both tinctures can be taken at 10 to 60 drops daily. All Mahonia species work well for treating chronic liver malfunctions internally, and externally for treating staph infections. They also inhibit cocci bacteria, like E. coli, aerobacter, klebstiella, proteus, pseudomas and shigella. It is a good treatment for Candida albicans infections as well as amoebic dysentary. This goes, even the drug resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus. It is also an antioxident and will lessen the stress from lipid free radicals which cause chronic autoimmune diseases. Topically it will treat psoriasis as well.
Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore, page 179-183, Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN 0-89013-454-5
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#146
Common Name: Pennyroyal, American Pennyroyal, False Pennyroyal, Dwarf Pennyroyal, Coyote Mint
Latin Name: Hedeoma oblongifolium, Mentha pulegium, Mondarella odoratissma, Mondarella pulegioids, Mondarella villosa
Family: Labiatae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEOB Arizona and New Mexico (Hedeoma oblongifolia)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEPU All States east of the Mississippi R., except Florida, plus all states on the west bank of the Mississippi R., except Louisiana, plus North Dakota to Oklahoma; In Canada; Ontario, Quebec New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Hedeoma pulegioides)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MEPU Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey; In Canada: Brisish Columbia. (Mentha pulegium)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MOOD Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California; In Canada; British Columbia. ( Monardella odoratissima)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MOVI2 Oregon and California.
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.)
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#146(a)
Common Name: American False Pennyroyal, American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides )
Appearance and Habitat: A native species, with is erect, annual, 4″-16″ tall forb, aromatic; stems square, usually branched. The flowers are pink, 5 parted, and are distinctly-spaced whorls from the leaf axils; blooms July-Sept. The leaves are opposite lance-like to oval, finely hairy, main ones stalked. It’s habitat is upland woods.(1)  Dry soils in open woods and fields from S. Quebec to Minnesota and S. Dakota, then south to Tennessee and Arkansas. An annual growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from Jul to September.(2)
Warnings: In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted oil, can be toxic if taken internally. Skin contact wth the pure essential oil can cause dermatitis.(3)
Edible Uses:The leaves have a very strong mint-like aroma and taste, they can be brewed into a refreshing tea that promotes good digestion, or they can be used as a culinary flavouring. An essential oil from the plant is used by the food industry as a flavouring in beverages, ice cream, baked goods etc.(4)
Medicinal Uses :American pennyroyal has a long history of medicinal use by various native North American Indian tribes and has become a traditional household remedy in North America. It is used mainly in the treatment of digestive disorders, colds, whooping cough, painful menstruation and as an aid in childbirth. A tea made from the leaves or flowering stems is carminative, rubefacient, stimulant. It is used to treat colds because it promotes perspiration A tea with brewers yeast can induce an abortion. The plants are harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried. The essential oil is distilled from the plants when they are in flower and used medicinally in the same ways as the leaves. Caution is advised since the pure essential oil is very toxic and ingestion can be lethal whilst skin contact can cause dermatitis.(5)
Foot Notes: (1) http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=HEDPUL
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hedeoma+pulegioides
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#146(b)
Common Name: Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium )
Appearance and Habitat: A perennial, introduced from Europe. Leaves opposite, all cauline, petiolate, densely soft-pubescent, oval, nearly entire, small, with only 2-3 lateral veins. Strongly aromatic, perennial herbs from creeping rhizomes, the square stems prostrate to ascending, pubescent, 2-6 dm. tall. Flowers in compact verticels in the axils of the deflexed upper leaves, which barely surpass the flower clusters, the verticels well separated; calyx pubescent, 2.5-3 mm. long, regular, 5-lobed, the 2 lower lobes narrower, 10-nerved; corolla nearly regular, four-lobed, with a short tube, lilac, 4-7 mm. long; stamens 4, equal, exerted; style 2-parted; ovary 2-celled, superior. Southern and southwestern Washington along the Columbia River; British Columbia south to California; scattered in eastern North America.(1)  Moist meadows and sandy soils by steams in Central southern Europe, including Britain, Mediterranean region, Macronesia. It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Aug to October, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October.  (2)
Warnings: In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted oil, can cause abortions so it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women. Avoid if patient has fits or seizures and those with liver or kidney disease. Oral intake may cause abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, auditory and visual hallucinations. (3)
Edible Uses:Leaves – raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods. A spearmint-like flavour, though rather coarser, it is not used very often in Britain. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves. For drying, it should be harvested as the plant comes into flower.(4)
Medicinal Uses :Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Its main value is as a digestive tonic where it increases the secretion of digestive juices and relieves flatulence and colic. Pennyroyal also powerfully stimulates the uterine muscles and encourages menstruation, thus it should not be prescribed for pregnant women since it can procure abortions, this is especially the case if the essential oil is used. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stimulant. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, minor respiratory infections, digestive disorders, menstrual complaints and various minor ailments. It is occasionally used as a treatment for intestinal worms. Externally, an infusion is used to treat itchiness and formication, inflamed skin disorders such as eczema and rheumatic conditions such as gout. The leaves are harvested in the summer as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses.(5) 
Foot Notes: (1)http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Mentha&Species=pulegium
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mentha+pulegium
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#146(c)
Common Name: Alpine Mountainbalm, Mountain Pennyroyal, Coyote Mint (Modarella odoratissima aka Monarda odoratissima) Native American Name: Guy mohpu (Shoshone)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: Alpine mountainbalm or coyote mint is a variable species with many subspecies across its range. A grayish, aromatic plant with erect, bunched, leafy stems bearing opposite leaves and topped by small, whitish to pale purple or pink flowers in a dense head. In general, its stems form large mats about 1 ft. high. In bloom, these are covered with flower heads, ranging in color from near white to bright blue-purple. The paired leaves are highly fragrant. Coyote Mint has many races in the West, varying in density of foliage hairs, breadth of heads, and relative length of bracts and calyx.(2) Open wet or dry often rocky places at low to moderate elevations in Western N. America – Washington to California. A perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is hardy to zone 8.  (3)
Warnings: None  (4)
Edible Uses:The fresh or dried aromatic leaves and flower heads are steeped in cold water to make a refreshing mint-like tea.  (5)
Medicinal Uses :The plant is carminative and febrifuge. A decoction of the stems and flower heads has been used in the treatment of flatulence and other digestive upsets, colds and fevers. The decoction is also used as an eye wash for sore or inflamed eyes.(6)Shoshone Tribe would make tea from the flowerheads to regulate young girls menstruation.(7)
Foot Notes: (1, 7) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 45, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOOD
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Monardella+odoratissima
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#146(d)
Common Name: Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)
Appearance and Habitat: M. villosa is found in rocky places below 3,000 feet elevation; from Humboldt County to San Luis Obispo, California.(1)  Dry rocky gravelly places below 900 meters in scrub and pine forests in South-western N. America. A perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone 8.(2)
Warnings: None  (3)
Edible Uses:The fresh or dried aromatic leaves and flower heads are steeped in cold water (but should not be boiled) to make a refreshing clear tea. It has a sweet spicy aroma and a slightly bitter mint-like flavour.  (4)
Medicinal Uses :An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach aches.  (5)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/network/ViewProtocols.aspx?ProtocolID=645
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Monardella+villosa
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(Now for Michael Moore who covers all in the west )
Appearance and Habitat: These plants don’t look the same, the more common is Hedeoma in the southwest, a native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming and Mexico. There it grows in dry arroyos from 3,500 to 8,000 feet. It is a small plant, resembling thyme in appearance. It, like all mints, has opposite leaves and sends out many small stems from the central root, up to six inches in length. It is most visible along middle moutain roads and along canyons. The Monardella odoratissima species is found in California and stretches east to Nevada into the Rocky Mountains. It can be found up to 10,000 feet. They have oval or lance shaped leaves that are dark green on top and lighter below. They are usually under a foot in height with lavender or purple flowers along a square stem which is usually downy in appearance. Monardella lanceolata and M. villosa are rather common in the moist foothills of the coastal mountains. They are often bushy with lanceolate leaves along the stems. Mentha pelegium is found in sporatic patches along the pacific coast mountians fro California to British Columbia. All the species have the same minty scent of Pennyroyal.
Medicinal Uses : Collect the leaved stems and bundle them into less than 1/4 inch bundes and all them to dry. Remember the plants that are perennial should not be damaged to the point that they won’t return the next year. Hedeoma contains the same oils as H. pulegioides and is very similar to the oils found in Monardella, so they are pretty much interchangeable. All should be avoided when pregnant, but work wonders when a period is late. It should also be avoided with chronic uterine problems. It is very useful during child birth as it tends to induce contraction. The tea works great for children suffering from a stomach ache, use 1/2 teaspoon of the dried plant. Both adults (rounded teaspoon of plant) and children when there is nausea or vomiting should try Pennyroyal. After throwing repeat the process. It also works great in the beginning stages of a cold, it will relieve the fever and cause sweating to remove toxins. The leaves and flowers can be rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects. The tea is pleasant to the taste.
Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore, page 188-191, Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN 0-89013-454-5

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants 145 – Oregon Grape-Barberry part 1

Tags

Barberry, Creeping Oregon Grape, edible Barberry, edible Oregon Grape, field craft, home remedies, home remedy, Mahonia aquifolium, Mahonia bealei, Mahonia fremontii, Mahonia haematocarpa, Mahonia nervosa, Mahonia pinnata, Mahonia repens, militia supply, Native American culture, native american medicine, natural antibacterial, Oregon Grape, treament for backache, treament for dysentery, treat abrasions, treat dysentery, treat fevers, treat hemorrhages, treat internal bleeding, treat psoriasis, treat rheumatoid arthritis, treat stomach problems, treat syphilis, treat tumors, treat weak knees, treat wounds, treatment for heartburn, treatment for rheumatoid joints, treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 
#145
Common Name: Oregon Grape, Holly Grape, Creeping Barberry, Yerba de Sangre, Barberry 
Latin Name: Mahonia aquifolium, M. bealei, M. fremontii, M. haematocarpa, M. nervosa, M. pinnata, m. repens, M. swaseyi, M. trifoliolata, M. wilcoxii
Family: Berberidaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAHON All of the lower 48 States except Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa south through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, and New England north of New York; In Canada; found in British Columbia, Alberta, Onatrio and Quebec. This is the main database.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAAQ2 Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, New York and New Jersey; In Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. (Mahonia aquifolium)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MABE2 Maryland south to Florida and Alabama. (Mahonia bealei)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAFR3 California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. (Mahonia fremontii)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAHA4 California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. (Mahonia haematocarpa)
 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MANE2 Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina; In Canada; British Columbia. (Mahonia nervosa)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAPI2 Oregon and California (Mahonia pinnata)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MARE11 All States west of the Rocky Mountains, plus N. and S. Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Delaware; In Canada; British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario (Mahonia repens) 
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.)
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#145(a)
Common Name: Hollyleaved Barberry, Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium )
Appearance and Habitat: Holly-leaf Oregon-grape is a 3 – 6 ft., mound shaped, broadleaf evergreen shrub with pinnately compound, glossy, leathery leaves. The 5 – 9 dark green leaflets are armed with spiny teeth and turn reddish in fall. Terminal clusters of bright-yellow, bell-shaped flowers are followed by clusters of tiny blue, grape-like fruits. The bronzy copper color or the new growth in spring is an added bonus. This stout shrub is the state flower of Oregon. The berries of this and other Oregon-grape species are eaten by wildlife and make good jelly. Native Americans made a yellow dye from the bark and wood of this shrubby species. Several are used as ornamental garden plants; in the nursery trade some of them are known by the common name Mahonia. (1) Mixed coniferous woods to 2000 meters. It is found in woods and hedgerows in Britain. Evergreen, upright or spreading, to 2-10 ft. Inner bark and roots bright Yellow. Pinnately compund leaves with 5-11 shiny, green, hollylike leaflets. Leathery, oblong leaflets flat to strongly wavy with sharp, spine-tipped teeth. Western N America and naturalized in Britain. (2)
Warnings: Barberry, goldenseal, oregon grape and other plants containing Berberine should be avoided during pregnany and breastfeeding. Avoid if over active thyriod grald. High doses cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, nose bleed, eye irritation and kidney infection. Liquorice as Glycyrrhiza species nullify berberine effects. (3)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. The fruit is almost as large as a blackcurrant and is produced in large bunches so it is easy to harvest. It has an acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw and is especially good when added to a porridge or muesli. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds, though some plants have larger and juicier fruits. The cooked fruit tastes somewhat like blackcurrants. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use. Flowers – raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink. (4)
Medicinal Uses :Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility. Its current herbal use is mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal problems. The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn. (5)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAAQ2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5) http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Mahonia+aquifolium
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#145(b)
Common Name: Beale’s Barberry (Mahonia bealei )
Appearance and Habitat: Shrubs , evergreen, 1-2 m. Stems monomorphic, without short axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems tan, glabrous. Bud scales 11-13 mm, persistent. Spines absent. Leaves 5-9-foliolate; petioles 2-8 cm. Leaflet blades thick and rigid; surfaces abaxially smooth, shiny, adaxially dull, gray-green; terminal leaflet stalked, blade 6.5-9.3 × 4-7 cm, 1.3-2.3 times as long as wide; lateral leaflet blades ovate or lance-ovate, 4-6-veined from base, base truncate or weakly cordate, margins plane, toothed, with 2-7 teeth 3-8 mm tipped with spines to 1.4-4 × 0.3-0.6 mm, apex acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, dense, 70-150-flowered, 5-17 cm; bracteoles ± corky, apex rounded to acute. Berries dark blue, glaucous, oblong-ovoid, 9-12 mm, juicy, solid. Flowering fall-winter (Dec-Mar). Open woodlands and shrublands; 100-500 m; introduced; Ala., Ga., N.C., Va.; native, Asia (China). (1) Damp woodlands in uplands around 2000 meters in E. Asia – W. China in Hupeh, Hubei, Sichuan and Taiwan. An evergreen shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jan to March, and the seeds ripen from Apr to May.(2)
Warnings: None (3)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. A pleasant acid flavour, it is nice when added to muesli or porridge. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. The fruit is about 10mm long and 6mm wide, it ripens in April/May and if the plant is in a sheltered position the crops can be fairly heavy. (4)
Medicinal Uses :The leaf is febrifuge and tonic. A decoction of the root and stems is antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, depurative and febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, recurring fever and cough in rundown body systems, rheumatoid arthritis, backache, weak knees, dysentery and enteritis. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity.  (5)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500224
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5) http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+bealei
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#145(c)
Common Name: Desert Oregon Grape, Fremont Barberry (Mahonia fremontii )
Appearance and Habitat: A roundish shrub, 3-8 ft. with stiff, erect branches; showy yellow flowers; blue-green, prickly foliage and yellow to red berries. This plant is susceptible to diseases and so is considered undesirable in agricultural areas, where it can spread disease to crop plants. (1)Shrubs evergreen, 1-4.5 m. Stems ± dimorphic, with elongate primary and short or somewhat elongate axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems light brown or grayish purple, glabrous. Bud scales 2-4 mm, deciduous. Spines absent. Leaves 5-9(-11)-foliolate; petioles 0.2-0.8(-3) cm. Leaflet blades thick and rigid; surfaces abaxially dull, papillose, adaxially dull, glaucous; terminal leaflet stalked in most or all leaves, blade 1-2.6(-4) × 0.7-1.8(-2.5) cm, 1-2.5 times as long as wide; lateral leaflet blades elliptic to ovate or orbiculate, 1-3-veined from base, base obtuse or truncate, margins strongly crispate, toothed or lobed, with 2-5 teeth 2-6 mm high tipped with spines to 0.8-2.2 × 0.2-0.3 mm, apex obtuse to acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, lax, 3-6-flowered, 2.5-6.5 cm; bracteoles membranous, apex acuminate. Flowers: anther filaments with distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries yellow or red to brown, ± glaucous, spheric, 12-18 mm, dry, inflated. Flowering spring (Apr-Jun). Slopes and flats in desert grassland and pinyon-juniper woodland; 1100-2400(-3400) m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Utah.(2)Dry rocky places, especially in pinon-juniper woods, often on gravelly soils, 900 – 1500 meters in California. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May.(3)
Warnings: None  (4)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. It is usually cooked. An acid flavour but it is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. A beverage has been made from the fruit. The ovoid fruit is about 15mm long.  (5)
Medicinal Uses :The plant has been used as an aid for the gums. The roots are bitter tonic, hepatic and laxative. An infusion has been used to promote digestion. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.  (6)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAFR3
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500229
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 ) http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+fremontii
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#145(d)
Common Name: Red Barberry, Mexican Barberry (Mahonia haematocarpa )
Appearance and Habitat: A fragrant, roundish shrub, 3-8 ft. with stiff, erect branches, showy yellow flowers, green, prickly foliage purplish-red berries.(1)Shrubs , evergreen, 1-4 m. Stems ± dimorphic, with elongate primary and short or somewhat elongate axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems grayish purple, glabrous. Bud scales 2-4 mm, deciduous. Spines absent. Leaves 3-9-foliolate; petioles 0.1-0.5 cm. Leaflet blades thick and rigid; surfaces abaxially dull, papillose, adaxially dull, glaucous; terminal leaflet stalked in most leaves, blade 1.5-3.8 × 0.5-1.1 cm, 2-5 times as long as wide; lateral leaflet blades oblong-ovate to ovate or lanceolate, 1(-3)-veined from base, base acute to obtuse, rarely subtruncate, margins undulate or crispate, toothed or lobed, with 2-4 teeth 1-4 mm high tipped with spines to 1.2-2 × 0.2-0.3 mm, apex narrowly acute or acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, lax, 3-7-flowered, 1.5–4.5 cm; bracteoles membranous, apex acuminate. Flowers: anther filaments without distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries purplish red, glaucous, spheric or short-ellipsoid, 5-8 mm, juicy, solid. Flowering winter-spring (Feb-Jun). Slopes and flats in desert shrubland, desert grassland, and dry oak woodland; 900-2300 m; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.Mex, Tex.; Mexico (Sonora). (2)  Slopes and flats in desert shrubland, desert grassland, and dry oak woodland; 900 -2300 meters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. An evergreen shrub growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in). It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in May. (3)
Warnings: None  (4)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. Juicy and acidic, it is used mainly for making jams and jellies in N. America. It makes an acceptable raw fruit and is especially nice when added to porridges or muesli. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds.  (5)
Medicinal Uses :Inner wood shavings can be soaked in water to make an eyewash. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn (6)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAHA4
Foot Notes: (2)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500230
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 ) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+haematocarpa
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#145(e)
Common Name: Oregon Grape, Cascade Barberry (Mahonia nervosa )
Appearance and Habitat: A 1-2 ft. shrub with unbranched stems from long rootstocks. Pinnate leaves occur in terminal tufts and are glossy green with spiny teeth. Drooping racemes of yellow flowers are followed by blue berries with a grayish bloom. This shrub is usually between 4 and 24 inches tall and is often called Dwarf Oregon-grape. It used to be placed in the genus Berberis. (1)  Shrubs , evergreen, 0.1-0.8(-2) m. Stems monomorphic, without short axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems brown or yellow-brown, glabrous. Bud scales (13-)20-44 mm, persistent. Spines absent. Leaves 9-21-foliolate; petioles 2-11 cm. Leaflet blades thin and ± flexible; surfaces abaxially rather dull, smooth, adaxially dull, somewhat glaucous; terminal leaflet stalked, blade 2.9-8.4 × 1.2-4.8 cm, 1.8-3.2 times as long as wide; lateral leaflet blades lance-ovate to ovate, 4-6-veined from base, base rounded to cordate, margins plane, toothed, each with 6-13 teeth 1-2(-3) mm tipped with spines to 1-2.4 × 0.1-0.2 mm, apex acute or broadly acuminate. Inflorescences racemose, dense, 30-70-flowered, 6-17 cm; bracteoles membranous, apex acute, obtuse, or rounded. Flowers: anther filaments without distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries blue, glaucous, oblong-ovoid or globose, 8-11 mm, juicy, solid. 2 n = 56. Flowering winter-spring (Mar-Jun). Open or shaded woods, often in rocky areas; 0-1800 m; B.C.; Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash. Plants of Berberis nervosa are usually very low (commonly 0.1-0.3 m), but occasional plants may be considerably taller (to 2 m). One such population from north of Westport, California, has been separated as B . nervosa var. mendocinensis .(2)Light dry woods and rocky edges in North – western N. America. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Feb to April.(3)
Warnings: None(4)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. An acid flavour but it is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. Too acid for most tastes but they are very good in jams, jellies, pies etc. They can also be used to enhance the flavour of bland fruits or made into a refreshing lemon-flavoured drink. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter. Young tender leaves – cooked. Simmered in a small amount of water and eaten as a snack. (5)
Medicinal Uses :The root is alterative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is recommended in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis and impure blood conditions. A decoction of the peeled and chopped root bark has been used as a wash in treating arthritis and as an eyewash for red itchy eyes. The fruit is an excellent safe and gentle laxative. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.  (6) 
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MANE2
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500233
Foot Notes: ( 3, 4, 5, 6 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+nervosa
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#145(f)
Common Name: California Barberry (Mahonia pinnata )
Appearance and Habitat: Shrubs , self-supporting or clambering, 1-7 m. Leaflets thin and flexible; lateral leaflet blades lance-oblong or elliptic, margins plane or weakly undulate, marginal teeth tipped with spines to 1-1.6 × 0.1-0.2 mm. Inflorescences 6-9 cm. Flowering winter (Mar). In shade beneath trees, pine and pine-oak forest; of conservation concern; 100-450 m; Calif. (1)Rocky exposed places and woody slopes below 1200 meters in South-western N. America-California and Mexico. An evergreen shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May.(2)
Warnings: None(3)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. An acid flavour but rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.(4)
Medicinal Uses :The bark is antirheumatic and febrifuge. A decoction has been taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, ague, consumption and heartburn. A decoction has been used as a wash for cuts and bruises. The liquid obtained from chewing the roots has been used as a salve and to prevent swelling from wounds and abrasions. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn. (5)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500236
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4, 5)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mahonia+pinnata
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#145(g)
Common Name: Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping Barberry (Mahonia repens )
Native American Name: Sogo tiembuh (Shoshone), Kaw-danup (Paiute), Ch cow cow (Warm Springs, Oregon Tribe), Oti to que (Blackfoot).  (1)
Appearance and Habitat: Creeping Oregon-grape or creeping barberry is a stoloniferous, sprawling evergreen of stiff habit with small, fragrant, yellow flowers in drooping racemes, followed by showy, purple fruit. The leathery, holly-like, compound leaves are a muted green, some turning mauve, rose, and rust-colored in winter. The plant grows 1-3 ft. in height. A beautiful foliage groundcover for shade in the western mountains of the continent, Creeping Barberry has muted green leaves that are occasionally shades of pastel pinks, purples, and oranges. It thrives in good garden soil, but does not tolerate high heat or drying wind. Its yellow spring blooms attract pollinators and its berries attract birds.(2)  Shrubs , evergreen, 0.02-0.2(-0.6) m. Stems monomorphic, usually without short axillary shoots. Bark of 2d-year stems grayish or purplish brown, glabrous. Bud scales 3-8 mm, deciduous. Spines absent. Leaves (3-)5-7-foliolate; petioles (1-)3-9 cm. Leaflet blades thin and flexible; surfaces abaxially dull, papillose, adaxially dull, rarely glossy, somewhat glaucous; terminal leaflet stalked, blade 3.2-9.5 × 2.3-6 cm, 1.2-2.2(-2.5) times as long as wide; lateral leaflets ovate or elliptic, 1(-3)-veined from base, base rounded to obtuse or truncate, margins plane, toothed, with 6-24 teeth 0.5-3 mm tipped with spines to 0.6-2.8 × 0.1-0.25 mm, apex rounded, rarely obtuse or even broadly acute. Inflorescences racemose, dense, 25-50-flowered, 3-10 cm; bracteoles membranous, apex rounded to obtuse or broadly acute. Anther filaments with distal pair of recurved lateral teeth. Berries blue, glaucous, oblong-ovoid, 6-10 mm, juicy, solid. Flowering spring (Apr-Jun). Open forest, shrubland, and grassland; 200-3000 m; Alta., B.C.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Minn., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo. Various Native American tribes used preparations of the roots of Berberis repens to treat stomach troubles, to prevent bloody dysentary, and as a blood purifier; mixed with whiskey, it was used for bladder problems, venereal diseases, general aches, and kidney problems; and preparations made from the entire plant served as a cure-all and as a lotion for scorpion bites. (3)Hills and slopes, often in partial shade, usually on dry slopes in Western N. America. An evergreen shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to May.(4)
Warnings: None  (5)
Edible Uses:Fruit – raw or cooked. An acid flavour but it is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds. Used for making jams. jellies etc. They can also be made into a refreshing lemonade-like beverage. When sugar is added, the fruit juice is similar to grape juice. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter.  (6)
Medicinal Uses :The root and root bark is alterative, anaphrodisiac, antiseptic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of coughs, fevers, psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints, kidney problems and impure blood conditions. Externally, it is used as an antiseptic and healing wash or poultice on wounds and rheumatic joints. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. A poultice of the fresh berries has been applied to boils. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.  (7)The root was peeled, dried, and steeped to check rectal hemorrhage and dysentary. The roots were also boiled for stomach troubles.( 8 )
Foot Notes: (1, 8 ) Indian Uses of Native Plants by Edith Van Murphy, page 42, 45, Publisher: Meyerbooks, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-96638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MARE11
Foot Notes: ( 3 ) http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500240
Foot Notes: ( 4, 5, 6, 7)http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Mahonia+repens

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants 138 – 139 Licorice/Cow Parsnip

Tags

American Licorice poultice, Canadian Licorice Root, Cow Cabbage, edible Cow Parsnip, field craft, field medicine, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Heracleum lanatum, Heracleum montanum, Heracleum sphondylium, Indian Rhubarb, Ligusticum canadense, Masterwort, militia supply, Native American culture, Native American foods, native american medicine, prepper plant, treat a hiatal hernia, treat a sore tooth, treat Addison's disease, treat arthritis, treat asthma, treat bronchitis, treat coughs, treat dry constipation, treat frequent urination, treat herpes, treat high blood pressure, treat indigestion, treat inflammatory upper respiratory conditions, treat kidney disease, treat paralysis, treat peptic ulcer, treat persistant nausea, treat psoriasis, treat stomach aches, treat stomach disorders, treat tic douloureux, treat trigeminal neuralgia, treat urinary tract infections, treat VD scabs, treatment for Addison's disease, treatment for AIDS, treatment for dry constipation, treatment for epilepsy, treatment of catarrhal infections, treatment of herpes, treatment to end warts

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. )
#138
Common Name: American Licorice, Amolillo
Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. lepidota
Family: Leguminaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLGL California, Nevada and Utah (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLLE3 All states west of the Mississippi R. except Louisiana, plus Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine; In Canada; British Columbia through Ontario. (Glycyrrhiza lepidota)
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.)
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#138(a)
Common Name: Cultivated Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra )
Appearance and Habitat: Dry open spaces, especially in sandy places near the sea in Europe – Mediteranean. A perennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from Jun to July.
Warnings: A gross overdose of the root can cause oedema, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Do not use during prementrual syndrome as water retention and bloating occur If pregnant or have a liver cirrhosis use with caution. Avoid using for more than 6 weeks. Excessive quantities may cause headache, sluggishness and potassium depletion.
Edible Uses: Root – raw or used as a flavouring. The source of liquorice powder that is extracted and used in sweets, baked goods, ice cream, soft drinks etc, it is also used medicinally. A sweet and delicious flavour, but the root is very fibrous. The root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sucrose. The dried root is often used for chewing, it is excellent for teething children and also as a tooth cleaner. A tea made from the roots is an excellent thirst quencher. The powdered root is also used as a sweetener in other herb teas. The leaves are used as a tea substitute in Mongolia.
Medicinal Uses : Liquorice his one of the most commonly used herbs in Western herbal medicine and has a very long history of use, both as a medicine and also as a flavouring to disguise the unpleasant flavour of other medications. It is a very sweet, moist, soothing herb that detoxifies and protects the liver and is also powerfully anti-inflammatory, being used in conditions as varied as arthritis and mouth ulcers. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, moderately pectoral and tonic. The root has also been shown to have a hormonal effect similar to the ovarian hormone. Liquorice root is much used in cough medicines and also in the treatment of catarrhal infections of the urinary tract. It is taken internally in the treatment of Addison’s disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints and following steroidal therapy. It should be used in moderation and should not be prescribed for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure, kidney disease or taking digoxin-based medication. Prolonged usage raises the blood pressure and causes water retention. See also the notes above on toxicity. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of herpes, eczema and shingles. The root is harvested in the autumn when 3 – 4 years old and is dried for later use. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Glycyrrhiza glabra for coughs/bronchitis, gastritis.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glycyrrhiza+glabra
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#138(b)
Common Name: American Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota )
Native American Name: Quitchemboo (Bannock)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: Erect perennial up to 3ft. The stem is covered with minute sticky hairs. Cream flowers, which resemble those of alfalfa, are crowded on a terminal spike. Leaves are pinnately compound. The brown fruit is covered with hooked spines and resembes a cocklebur. The root has a distinct licorice flavor, but commercial licorice is obtained from another plant of this genus that is not a North American native.(2)Cultivated ground, waste places, roadsides, prairies, gravely river bottoms and moist mountain draws to 2,100 meters. Usually grows in patches, frequently in heavy clay and saline soils. N. America – saskatchewan to British Columbia, south to California and Mexico. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September.(3)This plant resembles sweet peas and forms large colonies through it root. The leaves are pinnate with a single leave at the end of the stem making an odd number leaflets. The leaflets can range from 11 to 17 in number. Th foliage is sticky and waxy when touched. The average height is 2 feet. Along the stock flower clusters emerge at the axis of the leaves. The flowers vary in color, from cream, white, light yellow green and once in a while some are tinged with purple. The blooms mature into a cluster of barbed seeds that are usually a 1/2 long. The barbed seeds are a distinguishing characteristic of Licorice that is found in the west.(4)
Warnings: Very young growth can be poisonous to animals.(5)
Edible Uses: Root – raw or cooked. Long, sweet and fleshy, when slow roasted they are said to taste like sweet potatoes. They can be used as a flavouring in other foods and can also be chewed raw as a masticatory, making an excellent tooth cleaner and also very good for teething children. The root contains 6% glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. The tender young shoots can be eaten raw in the spring.(6)
Medicinal Uses :American liquorice was widely employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it in the treatment of a range of diseases. All parts of the body are medicinal, but the roots are the most active part. This species has properties similar to other liquorices which are widely used medicinally, though this species is rather neglected in modern literature. An infusion of the root is used to speed the delivery of the placenta after childbirth, it is also used to treat coughs, diarrhoea, chest pains, fevers in children, stomach aches etc. It is also used as a wash or poultice on swellings. The chewed root is retained in the mouth as a treatment for toothache and sore throats. The mashed leaves are used as a poultice on sores. The leaves have been placed in the shoes to absorb moisture. (7)The root was chewed for a strong throat for singing. The root was boiled into a tonic for a sore throat. ( 8 )Collect the roots in the fall. Try your best to not harm too many of the lateral roots from which new plants will grow in the spring. The tap root can go down 3 or 4 feet in the ground. Dry the roots after spliting them in a cheesecloth pocket suspended in the shade in a spot that is airy. It may take up to two weeks for the roots to dry. Licorice is excellent to treat inflammatory upper respiratory conditions. It is rather unque in that it strengthens the effects of other herbs you are taking. It works well with Mullein and Horehound. The roots are high in steriod content and can raise levels of estrogen and andreocortico- steroids if you are deficient. Two cups of Licorice tea per day for a week will help treat painful menstrual cramps and continued use may lessen the problem in the future. The tea will also treat stomach ulcers, especially so if the pain is predictable at certain time of the day. For this use, use a rounded teaspoon of the chopper root, boiled in water and drunk when it reaches body temperature. It will also treat frequent urination and dry constipation. It does this by diminishing urination while it allows more fluids to retained ending the dry constipation. It is also helpful for treating bronchitis or other respiratory ills accompanied by a fever. It is not advised to use during pregnancy or with steriod therapy. To make the tea use 1 part dried chopped root to 32 parts water, boil them together for 10 minutes allow it to cool until warm, then strain the root and return the volume to 32 parts. (9)
Foot Notes: (1, 8) Indian Uses of Native Plants
by Edith Murphey, page 38; Publisher: Meyerbooks Copy right 1990; ISBN 0-916638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GLLE3
Foot Notes: (3, 5, 6, 7 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glycyrrhiza+lepidota
Foot Notes: (4, 9) Medical Plants of the Moutain West ,2nd Edition, by Michael Moore, pages 148 -150; Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN: 978-0-89013-454-2
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I am going to include one more plant under this heading as it is called Licorice Root, though the family changes.
#138(c)
Common Name: Canadian Licorice Root
Latin Name: Ligusticum canadense
Family: Apiaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=lica16 Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, all States south of the Ohio R., except Florida, plus Missouri and Arkansas.
Photos: Ligusticum canadense
Appearance and Habitat: Habitat is unknown, range N. America.
Warnings: None
Edible Uses: Leaves and young stems – cooked. The young leaves have been boiled and used as greens. They are often cooked with leaves of Ramps (Allium tricoccum). The leaves can be dried for later use.
Medicinal Uses :The root has been chewed in the treatment of any stomach disorders.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ligusticum+canadense
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#139
Common Name: Cow Parsnip, Cow Cabbage, American Masterwort, Wolly Parsnip, Indian Rhubarb
Latin Name: Heracleum sphondylium L. var. lanatum , Heracleum sphondylium L. ssp. montanum, Heracleum sphondylium  
Family: Umbellaiferae 
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEMA80 All States except Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and S. Carolina; In Canada; all Provinces exept Nunavut. (Note: this covers Heracleum sphondylium lanatum and Heracleum sphondylium montanum)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HESP6 Washington, Oregon, New Jersey and New York northwards to Maine, but not in Vermont; In Canada; Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Labrador and Newbrunswick. (Heracleum sphondylium)
Photos: ( Heracleum lanatum) ( Heracleum montanum) (Heracleum sphondylium)
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#139(a)
Common Name: Common Cow Parsnip, Indian Rhubarb (H. lanatum and H. montanum)
Native American Name: Po-kint-somo (Blackfoot) .(1)
Appearance and Habitat: This very tall plant has huge leaves and flat umbels of numerous tiny white flowers; stem is grooved, woolly, hollow, and stout. This is the largest species of the carrot family in North America. The genus is named for Hercules, who is reputed to have used these plants for medicine. Early in each year, Native Americans peeled and ate the young sweet, aromatic leaf and flower stalks. (2) Rich damp soils of prairies and mountains, especially along streams ad in open woods in Western N. America. N. America to W. Asia. Heracleum montanum is a perennial growing to 2.4 m (7ft 10in). It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. (3)Heracleum lanatum is a big hairy coarse member of the parsley family. They can grow up to 7 feet. They form large umbels of white flowers, sometimes a foot across. The flowers mature into large flat seeds. It’s stems are hollow. The root is both large and strong scented with a celery smell. The inner pith of the root is light colored and a bit soapy. The taste of the seeds and root are almost unbearable, leaving a numbing senation afterwards. It has large lime-colored leaves. The leaves are either palmate or three leaved. Its stems can be 2 inches around. Watch for it in the middle forests of California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Montana. It is quite common in the coastal ranges of California. It prefers to be near water. In the southwest it is usually found aboe 8,500 feet and further north in Montana, above 5,000 feet.(4) 
Warnings: Many members of this genus, including many sub-species in this species, conatain furaocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties. The fresh foliage can cause dermatitis. If the juice and hairs of the outer skin are left on the face or mouth, they can cause blister. This effect is especially revaent for people with fair complexions. (5)
Edible Uses:Root – cooked. Tastes like a swede. Used like potatoes, though it is considered to be poisonous by some writers. The peeled stem can be eaten raw but is best cooked. The unpeeled stem can be used when young, or just the inner tissue of older stems can be used, before the plants flower. For people not used to the flavour, they are best cooked in two changes of water when they make a tasty celery-like vegetable. Another report says that, despite the strong odour of the leaves and outer skin, the peeled young stems are mild and sweet, resembling celery in flavour. The stems cannot be eaten raw in large quantities because they give a burning sensation in the mouth. The stems are highly nutritious, containing up to 18% protein. Leaves and young shoots – raw or cooked. Cooked as greens or added to salads. Young flowers. No further details. The dried seeds are used as a flavouring for soups, stews and potato salads. The dried base of the plant and ashes from the burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute. (6) After a long hard winter with highly starchy foods and meat, Native Americans welcomed the coming of Spring, and the appearance of green shoots of Cow Parsnip, fern, wild celery and the first leaves of sunflower. They were carefully cooked as asparagus would be. (7)
Medicinal Uses :Cow parsnip was widely employed medicinally by a large number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a wide variety of complaints, but especially as a poultice on bruises, sores etc. It is little used in modern herbalism, though perhaps it merits further investigation. All parts of the plant are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, carminative, febrifuge, odontalgic and stimulant. The leaves are tonic. They have been used in the treatment of colds. A soothing drink made from the leaves is used to treat sore throats. A poultice of the heated leaves has been applied to minor cuts, sore muscles etc. An infusion of the fresh young stems has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea. It has also been used as a wash to remove warts. The plant has been used in the treatment of epilepsy. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of indigestion, colds, stomach cramps, rheumatism, sore throats, TB etc. Externally, the root is used as a poultice on sores, bruises, swellings, boils, rheumatic joints, VD scabs etc, whilst a bit of root has been held on an aching tooth to reduce the pain. The root can be crushed, mixed with water and used as an antidandruff hair wash. The root contains psoralen, which is being investigated for its use in the treatment of psoriasis, leukaemia and AIDS. The seed has been used to treat severe headaches. ( 8 )Collect the roots of the plants in late August or September and collect the seeds when they are ripe. The seeds are ripe when they are ribbed with dark stripes and this is usually in Julyor August. For the roots, split them and dry them in a cheesecloth pocket in the shade. The seed is easier, take them in clusters and when dry, rub them off the stem. This plant is basically a remedy for the stomach and nervous systems. The seed tincture can be applied topically to teeth and gums as an anesthetic and anti-microbial. It can also be used on a sore tooth, similar to oil of cloves. To make the seed tincture use 1 part dried seed to 2 parts 60% vodka, by weight, allow it to sit for a week before use and shake it daily. After the root has dried it loses its acridity. Never take the root internally before it is thoroughly dried, but you can make a tincture of it using 1 part fresh root to 2 parts 60% vodka and follow the above procedure. For the dried root use 1 part dried root to 5 parts 60% vodka, allow it to sit for a week and shake daily. It can be taken at 20 to 30 drops up to 3 times a day. The seed tincture can be used to treat stomach problems, it only takes a couple of drops on the tongue. The dry root tincture will treat a hiatal hernia, just use a small amount in a glass of water. The fresh root applied to bath water has been used to treat paralysis. It should be repeated daily until nerve function returns or it doesn’t seem to help. The fresh root can also be used to treat tic douloureux or trigeminal neuralgia to do this either use a poultice or a very strong tea and apply it to the face. This works well if there is some motor paralysis invloved. The dried ground root can also be taken in tea; a teaspoon to a cup, for persistant nausea. (9)
Other Uses: A stalk of this plant was placed on the alter of the Sun Dance ceremony. (10)
Foot Notes: (1, 7, 10) Indian Uses of Native Plants
by Edith Murphey, page 23, 50; Publisher: Meyerbooks Copy right 1990; ISBN 0-916638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA80
Foot Notes: (3, 5, 6, 8)
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Heracleum+sphondylium+montanum
Foot Notes: (4, 9) Medical Plants of the Moutain West2nd Edition, by Michael Moore, pages 99 -102; Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN: 978-0-89013-454-2
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#139(b)
Common Name: Cow Parsnip (H. sphondylium)
Appearance and Habitat: Moist grassland and ditches, bu hedges and woods in Europe, including Britain, south to latitude 61 to western N. Africa, west and north to Asia. A biennial / perennial growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to September, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October.
Warnings: Many members of this genus, including many sub-species in this species, conatain furaocoumarins. These have carcinogenic, mutagenic and phototoxic properties.
Edible Uses:Stem and young shoots – raw or cooked. Used as a green vegetable, when harvested just as they are sprouting from the ground they are somewhat like asparagus in flavour. The rind is somewhat acrid. The leaf stems are tied in bundles and dried in the sun until they turn yellow. A sweet substance resembling sugar forms on the dried stems and is considered to be a great delicacy. The peduncles, before flowering, can be eaten as a vegetable or added to soups. Root – cooked. It is usually boiled
Medicinal Uses : The roots and the leaves are aphrodisiac, digestive, mildly expectorant and sedative. The plant is little used in modern herbalism but has been employed in the treatment of laryngitis and bronchitis. A tincture made from the aerial parts of the plant has also been used to relieve general debility, though it is uncertain how it works. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Heracleum+sphondylium
Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicial Plants 129-130 Jimson Weed/Bella-donna

Tags

Atropa bella-donna, Atropine anti-nerve gas agent, Atropine used in eye surgery, Belladonna, Chinese Thorn Apple, Datura discolor, Datura inoxia, Datura quercifolia, Datura wrightii, field craft, field medicine, home remedies, Jimson Weed, militia supply, Native American culture, native american medicine, natural antispasmodic, prepper's plant, Thorn Apple, treat asthma, treat asthma spasms, treat dandruff, treat insomnia, treat joint pains, treat muscle aches, treat mushroom poisoning, treat Parkinson's Disease, treat peptic ulcers, treat schizoid patients, treat sinus inflammations, treat sunstroke, treat toadstool poisoning, treat tremors, treatment of asthma, treatment of fistulas, treatment of insanity, treatment of Parkinson's disease

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 

#129
Common Name: Jimson Weed, Thorn Apple, Datura, Devil Weed, Toloache Estramoio
Latin Name: Datura discolor, D. inoxia, D.  quercifolia,  D. stramonium, D. wrightii
Family: Solanaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DATUR  All States except Alaska and Wyoming; In Canada; British Columbia to Quebec and Nova Scotia. Main database
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DADI2 California and Arizona (Datura discolor)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DAIN2 Hawaii, Califoria, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Pennslyvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut; In Canada; Ontario and Quebec. (Datura inoxia)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DAQU California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, N. and S. Carolina, Pennslyvania and Maryland (Datura quercifolia)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DAST All areas listed on the main database of USDA. (Datura stramonium)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DAWR2> All States east of the Mississippi R. except Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Vermont; on the west side of the Mississippi R. all states except Louisiana, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, N. and S. Dakota and Hawaii (Datura wrightii)
Warnings: All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small doses. I knew someone that attempted to get high off of this plant by eating a small portion of the seed pod; he had his stomach pumped.
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name)
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#129 (a)
Common Name: Downy Thorn Apple, Pricklyburr (Datura inoxia)
Appearance and Habitat: Sandy or gravelly dry open places below 1200 meters in California – Southwestern N. America. An annual growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender.
Edible Uses: Fruit – ground up and mixed with clay ( the clay probably has a neutralizing effect on the toxins). A very toxic plant, its use as a food cannot be recommended. The fruit is up to 5cm long and 7cm wide. A stupefying beverage is made from the leaves and roots
Medicinal Uses: All parts of the plant are anodyne, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic and narcotic. It has been used in the past as a pain killer and also in the treatment of insanity, fevers with catarrh, diarrhoea and skin diseases. The plant contains several alkaloids, the most active of which is scopolamine. This is a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen, which has been used to calm schizoid patients. The leaves contain 0.52% scopolamine, the calices 1.08%, the stems 0.3%, the roots 0.39%, the fruits 0.77%, the capsules 0.33%, the seeds 0.44% and the whole plant 0.52 – 0.62%. Any use of this plant should be with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since the toxic dose is very close to the medicinal dose.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Datura+inoxia
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#129 (b)
Common Name: Chinese Thorn Apple, Oak Leaf Datura (Datura quercifolia)
Appearance and Habitat: Roadsides, 1200 – 1800 meters in Arizona. South-western N. America – Arizona to Mexico. An annual growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is hardy to zone 8 and is frost tender.
Edible Uses: Fruit – ground up and mixed with clay ( the clay probably has a neutralizing effect on the toxins). A very toxic plant, its use cannot be recommended. The fruit is about 7cm long and 6cm wide. A stupefying beverage is made from the leaves and roots
Medicinal Uses: The whole plant is narcotic. It has been used in the past to deaden pain, treat insomnia etc, but any use of this plant should only be carried out under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since the difference between the medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Datura+quercifolia
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#129 (c)
Common Name: Jimson Weed, Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium)
Appearance and Habitat: Dry waste ground and amongst rubble or ruins of old buildings. Original habitat is obscure, it is found in many areas of the world, occasionally in Britain. An annual growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to October, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October.
Edible Uses: None
Medicinal Uses: The thornapple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing. It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, though it is very poisonous and should be used with extreme caution. The leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic and narcotic. The seeds are the most active medicinally. The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma and Parkinson’s disease, excess causes giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma. Externally, it is used as a poultice or wash in the treatment of fistulas, abscesses wounds and severe neuralgia. The use of this plant is subject to legal restrictions in some countries. It should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since all parts of the plant are very poisonous and the difference between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small. The leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full flower, they are then dried for later use. The leaves can be used as a very powerful mind-altering drug, they contain hyoscyamine and atropine. There are also traces of scopolamine, a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen, which has been used to calm schizoid patients. Atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery. The leaves have been smoked as an antispasmodic in the treatment for asthma, though this practice is extremely dangerous. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a cooling and very poisonous potency. Analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain due to worm infestation, toothache and fever from inflammations. The juice of the fruit is applied to the scalp to treat dandruff.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Datura+stramonium
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#129 (d)
Common Name: Sacred Thorn-Apple, Jimson Weed, Angel Trumpet (Datura wrightii)
Native American Name: Moip, (Moapa Paiute);Toloache, (Paiute)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: Large, trumpet-shaped, white corollas, generally withered by early morning, protrude from the coarse foliage of this stout, branched, rank-smelling plant. Extracts from this plant and its relatives are narcotic and, when improperly prepared, lethal. The narcotic properties of species have been known since before recorded history. They once figured importantly in religious ceremonies of southwestern Indians.(2)
Medicinal Uses: This plant has a heavy root, which is soaked, ground and boiled. The tea renders the drinker unconscious. He will have visons, but should be watched lest he wander off in search of some lost article. (3)
Foot Notes: (1, 3) Indian Uses of Native Plants
by Edith Murphey, page 48, 50; Publisher: Meyerbooks Copy right 1990; ISBN 0-916638-15-4
Foot Notes: (2)) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DAWR2
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(Now for Michael Moore who covers all of the above and (Datura discolor)
Appearance and Habitat: This is a smelly plant with large broad, dark-green leaves, that has rubber like many-branching stems. It’s a favorite of squash bugs. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and unfold in the early morning. The flowers are white, with light violet to purple on the interior. Their scent is sweet and narcotic. The flowers can be from 2 to 6 inches in length. The seed pods resemble golf balls and are covered with sharp spines. The only plant that might be mistaken for Datura is the Buffalo Gourd. They can be found in the driest deserts of the Mohave and Colorado but also in the foothills of the drier mountains from 2,500 to 7,000 feet. You can also find it along roads and irrigation ditches. It has tendency to form stands in protected valleys and along dry washes. It is relatively common throughout the west, except in Montana and Idaho, where another similar plant grows hedbane (Hyocyamus), another drug related plant.
Warnings: Do not take this plant internally for any reason.
Medicinal Uses: The alkaloids vary greatly in the plants, depending on moisture, species and locality; but they are mainly scopolamine, hyoscyamine, atripine and other tropanes. It does work well of asthma. Asthma powders used to be a mixture of Jimson Weed and potassium nitrate. The leaves can also be rolled with an equal amount of Mullien leaves, Raspberry leaves or Coltsfoot leaves and smoked at the first sign of an asthma attack. A few puffs of this smoke numbs the bronchial tubes and relaxes the muscles ending the asthma spasms. Jimson Weed may work better for asthma suffers, as it only takes a couple of puffs and continued use of inhalers reduces their effects.  Jimson Weed will also treat sinus inflammations. Jimson Weed can also be boiled in a large pot and added to bath water to relieve muscle aches and joint pains. Care must be taken to watch the elderly or persons with restricted movement while bathing with some Jimson Weed tea added, as over time they will absorb enough of the alkaloids to become drowsy. Powered Jimson Weed works well on hemorroids as well, simply take the powered plant and add it to lard or Vaseline, slowly heat the mixture for an hour and after it cools apply topically as needed.
Medical Plants of the Moutain West2nd Edition, by Michael Moore, pages 141 – 143; Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press, Copyright 2003, ISBN: 978-0-89013-454-2
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#130
Common Name: Belladonna
Latin Name: Atropa bella-donna
Family: Solanaceae
Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ATBE Washington, Oregon, California, New York, New Jersey and Michigan
Photos: here
Appearance and Habitat: Woods, thickets and hedges, mainly on calcareous soils. In Central and Southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Iran. A perennial growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October.
Warnings: The whole plant, and expecially the root, is very poisonous. Even handling the plant has been known to cause problems if the person has cuts or grazes on the hand. The plant is particulary dangerous for children since the fruit looks attractive and has a sweet taste. The toxins are concentrated in the ripe fruit.
Edible Uses: None
Medicinal Uses: Although it is poisonous, deadly nightshade has a long history of medicinal use and has a wide range of applications, in particular it is used to dilate the pupils in eye operations, to relieve intestinal colic and to treat peptic ulcers. The plant can be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, reducing tremors and rigidity whilst improving speech and mobility. It has also been used as an antidote in cases of mushroom or toadstool poisoning. This is a very poisonous plant, it should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See also the notes above on toxicity. All parts of the plant are analgesic, antidote, antispasmodic, diuretic, hallucinogenic, mydriatic, narcotic and sedative. The root is the most active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn and can be 1 – 3 years old, though the older roots are very large and difficult to dig up. The leaves are harvested in late spring and dried for later use. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids. The leaves contain on average 0.4% active alkaloids, whilst the root contains around 0.6%. The alkaloid content also varies according to the development of the plant, being low when the plant is flowering and very high when bearing green berries. These alkaloids inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system which controls involuntary body activities. This reduces saliva, gastric, intestinal and bronchial secretions, as well as the activity of the urinary tubules, bladder and intestines. An extract of the plant has been used as eyedrops. It has the effect of dilating the pupils thus making it easier to perform eye operations. In the past women used to put the drops in their eyes in order to make them look larger and thus ‘more beautiful’. The entire plant, harvested when coming into flower, is used to make a homeopathic remedy. This is used especially in cases where there is localised and painful inflammation that radiates heat. It is also used to treat sunstroke and painful menstruation.
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Atropa+bella-donna
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I wanted to group all the plants together that contain atropines. I wished I was a chemist, as atropine is what helps you through an attack of nerve gas. Here are some links and here and here If you are a chemist, or have a good idea of how to refine the atropine, please get back to me .

Reproduced, in part, (as well as previous postings under this title) in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants – 128 Oak (part-2)

Tags

acorns, bark strongly astringent, coffee substitute, edible acorns, field craft, field medicine, home remedies, medical plants, militia supply, Native American culture, Native American foods, native american medicine, natural astringent, Quercus kelloggii, Quercus laevis, Quercus lobata, Quercus macrocarpa, Quercus marilandica, Quercus michauxii, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus nigra, Quercus oblongifolia, Quercus palustris, Quercus prinoides, Quercus prinus, treat babies with sore umbilicus, treat burns, treat chronic diarrhea, treat cuts, treat dysentery, treat hemorrhages, treat intestinal pains, treat sores, treat vomiting, treatment for babies with sore umbilicus, treatment for burns, treatment of cramps, treatment of hemorrhages, treatment of vomiting

Medical disclaimer: always check with a physician before consuming wild plants, and make positive identification in the field using a good source such as Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Michael Moore also has a glossary of medical terms in his books, and maps in later editions. ) 

Range: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUERC Main data base

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUKE California and Oregon (Quercus kelloggii)

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QULA2 Coastal states – Louisiana to Virginia (Quercus laevis)

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QULO California (Quercus lobata)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUMA2 All states east of the Mississippi R. except N. and S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida, all states along the west bank of the Mississippi, plus North Dakota to Texas, Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico; In Canada; Alberta to Quebec and New Brunswick (Quercus macrocarpa)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUMA3 New York south to Florida, Indiana/Illinois south to Mississippi/Alabama, Iowa south to Louisiana, Nebraska south to Texas (Quercus marilandica)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUMI New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia south to Florida, Illinois/Indiana south to Mississippi/Alabama, Missouri south to Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas (Quercus michauxii)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUMU All States east of the Mississippi R. except New Hampshire and Maine; all States on the west bank of the Mississippi R., plus Nebraska to Texas and New Mexico; In Canada; Ontario (Quercus muehlenbergii)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUNI New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia south to Florida, Illinios/Kentucky south to Mississippi/Alabama, Missouri south to Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas (Quercus nigra)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUOB Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and south to Mexico (Quercus oblongifolia)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUPA2 All states east of the Mississippi R. except Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Vermont and New Hampshire, Plus Iowa to Arkansas and Nebraska to Oklahoma; In Canada; Ontario (Quercus palustris)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUPR All States east of the Mississippi R. except Ohio, South Carolina and Florida, all States on the west bank of the Mississippi R. plus Nebraska to Oklahoma; In Canada; Ontario (Quercus prinoides)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QUPR2 All States east of the Mississippi R. except Wisonsin and Florida, plus Louisiana (Quercus prinus)
Photos: (Click on Latin Name after Common Name.) 
Warnings: None

#128 (k)
Common Name: California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii)
Native American Name: Tsonips (tree), Wa wachee (acorns) (Washoe Tribe)(1)
Appearance and Habitat: California black oak is a thick- trunked, globe-shaped oak, usually 30-40 ft. in cultivation. The deciduous leaves are oblong with bristle-tipped lobes; glossy-green in summer, turning yellow to orange in fall. Smooth black bark becomes ridged or checked with age. Tree with large branches and irregular, broad, rounded crown of stout, spreading branches. This is the common oak in valleys of southwestern Oregon and in the Sierra Nevada. The large, deeply lobed leaves with bristle-tipped teeth differ from all other western oaks, but resemble those of Black Oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) of the eastern United States. Woodpeckers drill holes in the bark and bury acorns there for future use, where they are safe from squirrels which cannot extract them. Slow-growing and long-lived, it is a popular fuelwood and hardy shade tree in dry soils. Deer and livestock browse the foliage.(2) Clay or gravelly soils in hills an mountains below 2500 meteres. Sometimes form groves of consideralbe extent in coniferous forests. South-western N. America – California to Oregon. A deciduous tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in). It is frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October.(3)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. Used as a staple food by several native North American Indian tribes. A bitter taste. The seed is 25 – 30mm long and 18mm wide, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. The traditional method of preparing the seed was to bury it in boggy ground overwinter. The germinating seed was dug up in the spring when it would have lost most of its astringency. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (4)The acorns were soaked over-night, which caused te shell to split open. The nuts were spread on open work baskets to dry and when they were dry enough, they were ground to flour in a stone mortar. After the acorn meal was ground it was leached to take out the bitterness in the following manner: a frame was prepared with incense cedar twigs laid overlapping, like shinges on a roof, the acorn meal was spread out on the frame, water poured through the meal repeatedly, until the meal turned pink, then it was dried and kept until used. If acorn soup was desired, it was made like a thin gruel. A few tribes made acorn bread. It was made up in round loaves, and before it was baked, it was pale brick-red color. If baked in ashes the bread was wrapped in fern leaves; the slow heat turned the bread black with fern prints on it. (5) If you want to place them in the ground, be my guest. However, as we have just seen Native Americans didn’t plant them in the ground and I am going to leave this portion out on PFAF from now on. In Part 3 I will use The Encyclopedia of Country Living for other ways to deal with processing acorns.
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (6)
Foot Notes: (1, 5) Indian Uses of Native Plants
by Edith Murphey, page 24, 70, Publisher: Meyerbooks Copy right 1990; ISBN 0-916638-15-4

Foot Notes: (2)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUKE
Foot Notes: (3, 4, 6 )http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+kelloggii

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#128 (l)
Common Name: Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) Appearance and Habitat: A small tree, frequently a shrub, turkey oak grows up to 40 ft. tall, with stout, spreading, contorted branches forming a broad, irregular-shaped crown. The foliage is so deeply and narrowly lobed leaves that some leaves resemble a turkey foot. Leaves are deciduous, but the brightly colored fall foliage stays on the tree well into winter. Shrub or small tree normally growing to 43 feet (13 m), occasionally to 72 feet (21.9 m) in height; tree has irregular open crown with crooked branches. BARK: gray to dark gray, mature bark is deeply furrowed with irregular ridges, reddish inner bark. TWIGS and BUDS: dark chestnut-brown twigs with a gray cast, sparsely pubescent, chestnut-brown bark with pubescence; narrowly ovoid buds. LEAVES: smooth petiole 1⁄4 – 1 inch (6 – 25 mm) long; leaf blade broadly ovate or triangular in outline; 4 – 8 inches (101 – 203 mm) long, 3 1⁄8 – 6 inches (79 – 153 mm) wide near middle, base is acute or rounded and decurrent on pteiole, margin with 3 – 7 lobes which looks similar to a turkey’s foot, usually with 1 – 3 bristle-tipped teeth, sinuses between lobes are deep; leaf surface is smooth and light green above, paler green below with axillary tufts of reddish hair, raised veins on both surfaces. The common name refers to the shape of the 3-lobed leaves suggesting a turkeys foot. (1) Dry barren sandy ridges, sandy bluffs and hammocks, growing well in almost sterile soil. South-eastern N. America-Virginia to Florida and west to Louisiana.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. The seed is up to 27mm long and 18mm wide. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULA2

Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+laevis

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 #128 (m)
Common Name: California White Oak, Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)
Appearance and Habitat: Valley oak is a large, majestic, deciduous oak, up to 70 ft. or more, with huge, wide-spreading limbs. The massive trunk, broad crown and weeping branches make a picturesque, vase-like form. Leaves, with rounded lobes, are deep-green above, paler below. Large, handsome tree with stout, short trunk and large, widely spreading branches drooping at ends, forming broad, open crown. Valley Oak is the largest of the western deciduous oaks and a handsome, graceful shade tree. This relative of the eastern White Oak (Quercus alba L.) is common through Californias interior valleys. Acorn crops, often abundant, are consumed by many kinds of wildlife and domestic animals, especially hogs. California Indians roasted these large acorns and also ground edible portion into meal which they prepared as bread or mush. (1) Fertile lowlands in deep rich soils in valles of W. California betwen the Sierra Nevada and the coast. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. A staple food for several native North American Indian tribes. Quite large, it is up to 5cm long and 15mm wide. The seed of this species is sweet and low in tannin and needs little if any leeching. Any bitter tannins can be leached out by thoroughly washing the dried and ground up seed in water, though many minerals will also be lost. The seed can be roasted and then eaten, its taste is something like a cross between sunflower seeds and popcorn. The seed can also be ground into a powder and used in making bread etc. Roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. A poultice of the ground galls and salt has been used as a treatment for burns, sores and cuts. A decoction of the bark has been used as a cough medicine and a treatment for diarrhoea. The pulverized bark has been used as a dusting powder to dry up running sores, it is particularly useful for babies with sore umbilicus.

(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULO
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+lobata

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#128 (n)
Common Name: Bur Oak, Savannah Oak, Mossy over-cup Oak, Prairie Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Appearance and Habitat: Bur oak is a large, deciduous tree with a very wide, open crown. Usually wider than tall, the tree can exceed 100 ft. in height and width. The massive trunk supports heavy, horizontal limbs and rough, deep-ridged bark. Leaves up to 9 inches long with a central midrib from which branch veins lead into rounded lobes. Lobes separated by deep sinuses reaching, in some cases, to within 1/2 inch of the midrib. Lobes beyond the midpoint of the blade wavy margined and longer and broader than those toward the base. Acorns large, up to 1 1/2 inches broad with 1/4 to more than 1/2 of the acorn enclosed in the cup. Cup with coarse scales and a fringed margin. The acorns of this species, distinguished by very deep fringed cups, are the largest of all native oaks. The common name (sometimes spelled Burr) describes the cup of the acorn, which slightly resembles the spiny bur of a chestnut. Bur Oak is the northernmost New World oak. In the West, it is a pioneer tree, bordering and invading the prairie grassland. Planted for shade, ornament, and shelter belts. Bur oak extends farther north than any other oak species and becomes shrubby at the northern and eastern limits of its range. (1) Found in a variety of habitats from dry hillsides to moist bottomlands, rich woods and fertile slopes, mainly on limestone soils. Eastern N. America – Nova Scotia to Manitoba, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Georgia, Kansas and Texas. A dedicuous tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. Very large, the seed can be up to 5cm x 4cm, though it is somewhat variable in size and shape. The seed can be ground into a powder and used in making bread, dumplings etc and as a thickener in soups. The seed of this species is considered to be one of the most palatable of all the oaks. Many trees have sweet seeds with little tannin and the seed can be eaten raw or cooked. If the seed is bitter then this is due to the presence of tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the dried and ground up seed in water, though many minerals will also be lost. (3)
Medicinal Uses: The bark is astringent and tonic. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea. A decoction of the root or inner bark has been used in the treatment of cramps. Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (4)
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMA2

Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+macrocarpa

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#128 (o)
Common Name: Blackjack Oak, Barren Oak (Quercus marilandica)
Appearance and Habitat: A small to medium-sized oak, 30-50ft, with bristle-lobed leaves that are shiny on top & rusty-yellow beneath. The short nearly black trunks divide into many dense, contorted limbs, bark dark, furrowed; dead branches persistant. Leaf blades wedge shaped (obdeltoid – obovate) with a narrow, rounded base and broadening toward the tip. Blades shallowly lobed with usually an apical and 2 lateral lobes bearing bristlelike extensions (awns) of the main vein. Foliage glossy dark green turns red in fall and persists into winter. Acorn elliptic, broadly rounded at the apex and base, up to 3/4 inch long when mature; cap covering 1/2 the nut. This oak sometimes grows in colonies. GROWTH FORM: small to medium sized tree usually between 15 – 45 feet (4.6 – 19.8 m), occasionally to 95 feet (28.9 m), with an open irregular spreading crown of crooked branches and some dead twigs, slow growing and short lived. BARK: thick rough bark, nearly black, with deep furrows, mature bark forming irregular or rectangular plates, orange inner bark. TWIGS and BUDS: light brown twigs, finely pubescent; narrowly ovoid pointed buds, reddish-brown pubescent scales, 5-angled in cross section. LEAVES: pubescent petiole 1⁄4 – 3⁄4 inch (6 – 19 mm) long; leaf broadly triangular and widest near tip, 2 3⁄4 – 8 inches (70 – 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄4 – 8 inches (70 – 203 mm) wide, leathery, base rounded, thickened blade with 3 – 5 broad lobes, with 1 – 3 bristle- tipped teeth, apex obtuse; glossy yellowish-green above, pale green with dense brown pubescence (scurfy) below, secondary veins raised on both surfaces. (1) Dry siliceous or argillaceous barrens and sterile woods in Central and South-eastern N. America – New York to Florida, west to Iowa and Texas. It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen in October.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. Used in times of scarcity. The seed is about 2cm long, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.(3)
Medicinal Uses: An infusion of the tree bark coal has been taken to ease childbirth, remove the afterbirth and ease cramps. Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc.  (4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMA3
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+marilandica
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#128 (p)
Common Name: Swamp Chestnut Oak, Basket Oak, Cow Oak (Quercus michauxii)
Appearance and Habitat: A 60-100 ft. oak with tight, narrow crown very high on the massive trunk. Bark is light gray. The shiny, oval unlobed leaves have large, r9unded teeth and turn yellow to vibrant red in the fall. Large tree with compact, rounded crown and chestnutlike foliage. GROWTH FORM: large tree growing to 48 – 100 feet (15 – 30.5 m), occasionally to 155 feet (47.2 m), with a compact rounded crown and chestnut like foliage, often with a limbless trunk to 40 feet (12.2 m). BARK: light gray, rough, flaky ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: juvenile growth is green, progressing to brown during the first winter and turning gray during second year; ovoid, reddish-brown bud, apex may be blunt or pointed, sparsely pubescent scales. LEAVES: short petriole 1⁄4 – 3⁄4 inch (6 – 19 mm) long; obobate leaves widest beyond the middle, 2 3⁄4 – 11 inches (70 – 279 mm) long, 2 – 7 inches (51 – 178 mm) wide, wavy margin with 9 – 14 pair of rounded teeth, base acuminate, apex broadly rounded with an abruptly pointed tip; shiny dark green above, grayish-green with dense pubescence (felty to the touch) below. Called Basket Oak because baskets were woven from fibers and splints obtained by splitting the wood. These strong containers were used to carry cotton from the fields. The sweetish acorns can be eaten raw, without boiling. Cows consume the acorns, hence the name Cow Oak. (1) Inundated bottoms, stream borders and swamps in South-eastern N. America – Delaware to Indiana, Missouri, Florida and Texas. A deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender (2) .
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. The seed is large, up to 35mm long and 30mm wide, but contains bitter tannins. Other reports say that the acorns are sweet and edible. The seed can be roasted then dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The bitter tannins can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMI
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+michauxii

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#128 (q)
Common Name: Chinkapin Oak, Chestnut Oak, Yellow Oak, Rock Oak, (Quercus muelenbergii)
Appearance and Habitat: A tree with light gray platy or scaly bark and smooth, gray twigs changing to brown on the current year’s leaf-bearing growth. Leaves up to 8 inches long and 4 1/2 inches wide with their widest part nearer the apex than the base. Larger leaves broadly rounded from the widest part to the apex and tapered to the base, the smaller ones narrower, leaf margins shallowly lobed or coarsely toothed, each lobe or tooth with a minute tip; the upper surface smooth, with a sheen, the lower surface dull. Flowers inconspicuous in narrow clusters. Fruit an acorn up to 1 inch long and 3/4 inch wide. (1) Dry calcareous slopes and ridges, or on rich bottoms. Well drained uplands, favouring limestone soils and avoiding acid soils in Eastern N. America – Vermont and Ontario to Minnesota, Nebraska, Alabama and Texas. A deciduous tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in November.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. It is up to 18mm long. The seed contains very little bitter tannin, it is quite sweet and rather pleasant eating. Tastes nice when baked in an oven. Any bitter seeds can be leached by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. Roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (3)
Medicinal Uses: An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of vomiting. Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMU
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+muehlenbergii
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#128 (r)
Common Name: Water Oak (Quercus nigra) Appearance and Habitat: Water oak is a conical to round-topped tree, 50-100 ft. tall, with thick, leathery, leaves that are semi-evergreen in the warmer parts of its range. The shiny, dark-green leaves are wedge-shaped and may have lobes at the tips. Foliage becomes yellow in fall. Tree with conical or rounded crown of slender branches, and fine textured foliage of small leaves. (1) Dry woods or borders of streams and bottomlands. The best specimens are found in well-drained, silty clay or loamy soils. South-eastern N. America -New Jersey to Florida, west to Oklahoma. A deciduous tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 8 m (26ft). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen in October.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. A staple food for some native North American Indian tribes. The seed is about 15cm long and wide, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.(3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (4) 
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUNI
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+nigra
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#128 (s)
Common Name: Mexican Blue Oak (Quercus oblongifolia)
Appearance and Habitat: Small evergreen tree with many branches and a spreading, rounded crown of bluish foliage; or a shrub. This handsome small oak is limited to the Mexican border region. It is recognized by its light gray, checkered bark and small, blue-green, hairless leaves without teeth. Deer browse the foliage.

(1) A common tree of open and oak woodlands in foothills, mountain slopes an in canyons. South-western N. America – Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. An evergreen shrub growing to 8 m (26ft 3in).
It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from Jan to December.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – raw or cooked. A staple food for some native North American Indian tribes. Very sweet, it is up to 2cm long and 8mm wide. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread.(3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. (4) 
Foot Notes: (1) http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUOB
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+oblongifolia

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#128 (t)
Common Name: Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
Appearance and Habitat: Straight-trunked tree with spreading to horizontal branches, very slender pinlike twigs, and a broadly conical crown. Pin oak is a stongly pyramidal tree with a distinct central leader, growing 60-70 ft. or taller. Instead of the gnarled, massive qualities of most oaks, pin oak has a more graceful, slender appearance. Old trees become high-crowned after shedding lower limbs. Dark-green foliage becomes dark-red in fall. Leaves persist into winter. Named for the many short side twigs or pinlike spurs. (1) Deep rich soils in swampy woods and bottoms at low elevations. Often found on wet, poorly drained claypan soils typical of floodplains, tolerating short periods of spring flooding. North-eastern and Central N. America – Massachusetts to Michigan, Virginia and Arkansas. A deciduous tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen in October (2).
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. The seed is about 15mm long, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. (3)
Medicinal Uses: An infusion of the inner bark has been used to treat intestinal pains. Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc.(4) 
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUPA2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+palustris

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#128 (u)
Common Name: Dwarf Chinkapin Oak (Quercus prinoides)
Appearance and Habitat: Growth Form: rhizomatous shrub or a small tree to 25 feet (7.6 m). BARK: thin gray bark with furrows and scaly ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: grayish twigs, broadly rounded bud brown to chestnut-brown with a blunt apex, scales have some pubescence. LEAVES: shortpetiole 1/4 – 5/8 inch (6 – 16 mm); leathery leaves are obovate, 1 1/2 – 5 1/2 inches (38 – 140 mm), 3/4 – 2 1/2 inches (19 – 63 mm), margin undulate or toothed with 3 – 8 pair of short rounded teeth, base cuneate, apex rounded; shiny dark green above, light green below with slight pubescence. ACORNS: annual; 1 – 2 acorns on peduncle up to 3/8 inch (10 mm), thin cup with short gray pubescent scales, covering up to 1/3 of nut; oblong to oval light brown nut, up to 3/4 inch (19 mm) long. Dwarf Chinkapin oak can produce acorns at 3 – 5 years. The largest known dwarf chinkapin oak is growing in Richardson County, Nebraska.(1) Sunny sites, often in rocky or acid sandy soils on dry plains, rocks, thickets and woodland edges in Eastern and Central N. America – Maine to Minnesota, south to Alabama and Texas. A deciduous shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen in October.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – cooked. A sweet taste. The seed is up to 15mm long, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed might contain bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached.  The roasted seed is also a coffee substitute.(3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc.(4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUPR
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+prinoides
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#128 (v)
Common Name: Chestnut Oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, Mountain Chestnut Oak, Tanbark Oak (Quercus prinus)
Appearance and Habitat: A medium to large tree, 65 – 145 feet (19.8 – 44.2 m), broad open and irregular crown, chestnut like foliage. BARK: dark reddish- brown to dark gray, mature bark with deep v-shaped furrows producing broad ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: stout twigs, dark green to reddish-brown; light brown to reddish-brown ovoid bud, pointed apex, bud scales may have slight pubescence. LEAVES: yellow petiole 3⁄8 – 1 1⁄4 inches (10 – 32 mm) long; leaf blade obovate, 4 3⁄4 – 8 inches (121 – 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 – 4 inches (60 – 101 mm) wide, margins have 10 – 14 rounded teeth, base subacute, apex broadly acuminate; thick firm blade, shiny dark yellowish-green above, light green with slight pubescence along veins below.(1) Dry or rocky woods, mainly on siliceous soils and on the borders of streams. The best specimens are found on deep rich well-drained soils. Eastern N. America – Maine to Georgia and Alabama. A deciduous tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October.(2)
Edible Uses: Seed – raw or cooked. Somewhat sweet according to some reports whilst another says that it contains bitter tannin. The seed is quite large, up to 4cm long and 25mm wide. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. If the seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.(3)
Medicinal Uses: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc.  (4)
Foot Notes: (1)http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUPR2
Foot Notes: (2, 3, 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quercus+prinus

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