Circium spp. — (Thistle) 
Edible kind: ceqciq (PB, MSS, AV): ‘prickly’ 
Inedible kind: sqeltemxwa (Ad, AV): ‘its a kind 
of man’ 
The young stems were peeled and eaten raw (Ad, RD, AV). 
Two species were recognized, one considered edible and the other 
not. Years ago there was a taboo against picking too much thistle, 
as it was believed that it might become exterminated (PB). The 
roots were peeled and baked in a fire pit for two to three hours: 
they were not dried for later use (RS). 
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal — (Gumweed) 
telshisqa (PB, AP, AV, 
CW): ‘it sticks to horses’ 
hooves’ 
An infusion of the stems and leaves was drunk for colds, 
pneumonia, fever, whooping cough, tuberculosis, or just to perk 
one up (Ad, PB, AP, RS, CW). The sticky flower heads were 
rubbed on sore horses’ hooves; it was believed to toughen them 
(RS, AV). 
Matricaria matricarioides (Less) Porter — (Pineapple weed) 
nceelceltxwqin (Ad, 
PS, AP, AY, CW): 
‘clustered heads’ 
An infusion of the entire plant was drunk for colds (Ad, AP, 
AV, CW), fevers (AP, CW), diarrhea (PB), upset stomach (Ad, 
PB), and by women at childbirth to give them energy and to build 
up their blood (RD) and to help deliver the placenta (RS). This 
tea was also blended with Letharia vulpina for the preceding 
medication, and was also drunk by young girls having menstrual 
cramps (RS). 
The leaves were dried, powdered and sprinkled over fresh meat 
or fruit to keep bugs off, and sometimes the entire plant was used 
in alternate layers in parfleches with meat or berries (PB, RS). 
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