HERBS 



39 



with vinegar. The plant contains a bitter acidic poison, saponin, 

 the root being most poisonous. From large roots, pokeweed 

 shoots will renew themselves again and again after each cutting 

 (cut at a foot or 2 high, before turning purple), furnishing an ex- 

 cellent winter and early spring vegetable if kept away from frost. 

 Medicinally the root was used for skin diseases, rheumatism and 

 glandular swellings. It acts on the thyroid gland. The juice of the 

 berries was used for coloring frosting and candies, 



H-13. MINER'S LETTUCE, Montia perfolia - '\^ 

 ta. Purslane Fajn, A dainty-looking plant with''"^'^ 

 6"- 12" high stems; and narrow, basal leaves. Half- 

 way up the stems, disks or cups completely en- 

 circle the stem. Above this, on a continuation of 

 the stem, are clusters of pink or white flowers. 



Fleshy, tender leaves are eaten green or cooked by the Indians, 

 who also made a tea of the plant and used it as a laxative. The 

 miners used the leaves as salad greens, hence the name. 



MCF 

 CCF 

 Oak 

 Chap. 



Most States 



H-14. BITTERROOT, Lewisia rediviva . This perennial herb 

 is almost stemless, with a rosette of oblongfleshy leaves growing 

 at the top of a carrot-shaped root. The large rose or white flow- 

 ers have 8-15 petals. Related species have similar qualities. 



Indians would gather the root in the spring when the outer coat- 

 ing, which contains most of the bitterness, will slip off easily 

 when put in boiling water. The root is quite starchy, but very 



nutritious and was an important 

 food among the Indians. In fact, 

 so much importance was given to 

 it that a sackful of the roots was 

 considered a good exchange for a 

 horse. The roots were often dried 

 for winter use, and were boiled 

 with other wild foods in a soup. 

 Pounded dry root was chewed for 

 sore throat, 



H-15. COLUMBINE, Aquilegia s p.; Crowfoot Fam. (A. for- 

 mosa. Northwest Crimson Columbine, illustrated on next page.) 

 Most species grow in moist situations along streams or in mead- 

 ows. They vary in height from a few inches to 5'. Flowers are 



Sage 



Chap. 



Oak 



MCF 



CCF 



Most States 

 W. Can. 



CCF 

 MCF 

 Chap- 

 Oak 



Sub. Alp. 

 Alp. 



Most States 

 W. Can. 



