104 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
inelude the improvement of plants whose roots, tubers, or 
herbage may be used as delicious and nutritious food. 
The following list comprises some of the principal plants 
which have been, or are, used as food in our local territory. 
In addition to these we might add the many indigenous 
species of mushrooms found in abundance during the grow- 
ing season, which are not included in this article. 
TUBERS AND ROOTS USED 
Allium cernuum, nodding wild onion. 
Allium vineale, wild garlic. 
The bulbs of these plants were much used by the Indians who 
dug them out of the ground with sticks. Owing to their stimulant, 
alterative, and antiscorbutic properties, they were particularly bene- 
ficial to the system in early spring. They were also dried and 
stored for winter use. 
Amphicarpaea monoica, hog peanut. 
Amphicarpaea Pitcheri, hog peanut. 
The tubers of the hog peanut were eaten raw. 
Apios tuberosa, groundnut. 
Prepared like potatoes, also eaten raw. 
Camassia esculenta, wild hyacinth or camass. 
The bulb of this plant formed a very important item of diet of 
the Indians and is said to have been a general article of trade be- 
tween the tribes. The tribal name of the Digger Indians is sup- 
posed to have been received because of the extent which they 
gathered this bulb. The camass has little taste when raw, but is 
remarkably sweet when cooked, its name being derived from the 
Indian word “chamashish,” meaning sweet-tasting. The bulbs were 
cooked in every way known to the Indians, even made into loaves 
which were sliced like bread. Eaten in large quantities the plant 
has both emetic and purgative effects. 
Claytonia virginica, spring beauty. 
Bulbs eaten raw or boiled like potatoes. 
Cyperus esculentus, yellow nut-grass. 
The tubers of this plant have a sweet nutty flavor and are very 
nutritious eaten raw. y 
Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichoke. 
This plant is extensively planted in European gardens. The 
tubers are cooked like potatoes and are also eaten raw in emergency. 
Nelumbo lutea, American lotus, 
The tubers are eaten raw, while the seeds are roasted and eaten 
like potatoes. 
Psoralea esculenta, prairie turnip. 
Roots eaten raw by the Indians and early explorers. 
