94 USES OF PLANTS BY INDIANS [eih.ann.33 



Pak»>«ix.\ knnka.vuha (.Vntt.) Biitton. 



An Ojriiilu infonmint sjiid the root is poisonous. From her de- 

 8<Ti|)ti.)n of the eirect I shouhl think it must have a strong narcotic 

 eflfect. I have not had an analysis made. 



Paro.xjxa aurka (Nutt.) Britton. 



I'ezhuta i>n (Dakota )." bitter medicine." 



An Ofrhda inforniiiiit .said a decoction of tlie leaves is used for 

 colic and dysentery. 



Pktalostf.mum ithpuheum (Vent.) Rydb. Purple Prairie Clover, 

 and P. ( AXDHiiM (Willd.) Mich.x. White Prairie Clover. 



WanaKcha (Dakota). 



Mud.;!" .sl,-;tlu (Oniaha-Ponca). This is one of .several plants desig- 

 nated as m/ika" sl-'ithe. sweet medicine. 



Klha irUiir-m hawmtat (Pawnee), "broom weed" {kiha, room; 

 //iliiruM. broom: huirastatu, weed). Also called kaftfs-pulipatski, 

 small medicine (kahis, from kahisu). 



An Opiala said the leaves were sometimes used to make a drink 

 like tea. According to a Ponca its root was conmionly chewed for 

 its pleasant taste. Although the word maka^ appeai-s in the Omaha- 

 Ponca name, no medicinal property is ascribed to this jjlant by these 

 tribes so far as known now. The Pawnee name is derived from the 

 use of the tough, elastic stems to make brooms with which to sweep 

 the lodge. The plant was used in old time by the Pawnee as a 

 prophylactic. The root, pulverized, was put into hot water. After 

 the sediment settled the water was drunk to keep away disease. The 

 sediment was collected in the drinking-shell and carried to a place 

 prepared for it, where it was buried with respect. 



(iLvciXK Ai'ios L. Indian Potato. (PI. 17.) 



Mdo (Dakota); Teton dialect, hlo. 



Xu (Omaha-Ponca). 



Tdo (Winnebago). 



Its (Pawnee). 



The tuliers of this plant were utilized for food by all the tribes 

 within its range. The.se tubers were prepared by boiling or roasting. 



Apinx tubcrom on the banks of streams and in alluvial bottoms is the true 

 fximmr ilc tern- of tlif Krcncli and the modo or wild potato of the Sioux Indians, 

 and Is extensively used us an article of diet. ... It should not be con- 

 founde<l with the (rround-uut of the South.' 



Many explorers and early settlers of Virginia, New England, and 

 New France make mention of the use of Apios^ as food by the 



■ Report of CommlKsloDer of Agriculture for 1870, p. 405. 

 " aiycine opioK v/as foriuiTly eall.Hl Apios tuberoaa. 



