In Chippewa, ini’niwunj meaning “man like” Milkweeds folk names are somewhat all over the place, as there are tons of varieties, and many probably don’t refer mainly to A. syriaca. Silkweed is one of the more descriptive names that certainly applies. Edible Uses Common milkweed is a versatile edible plant. To me, it tastes green […]
Category Archives: Wild Plants
Eastern white cedar – Thuja occidentalis
In Anishinaabemowin, eastern white cedar is sometimes called Giizhik, and also gi’jikan’dug meaning cedar like, as it’s not a “true cedar”. One of the alternative names for Eastern white cedar is swamp cedar as it likes to grow in damp woods. Another name is Tree of Life, which the white-tailed deer and a multitude of […]
White birch – Betula papyrifera
In Chippewa, Wi’gwass’tig. White Birch is sometimes called Paper Birch or Canoe Birch after two of its many utilizations. Are you curious How the Birch Tree Got It’s Burns? Click that link for the Ojibwe legend. Then the caption on the photo to the left will make sense. Edible Uses The twigs and leaves make […]
Common burdock – Arctium minus
In Chippewa, Wiisagibag meaning bitter leaf, also Wiisagijiibik meaning bitter taproot and Gi’ masan meaning big stickers. Burdock’s folk names are predominately along the lines of burr-this or that-burr, like burrseed for instance. Which is questionable – it’s the part of the plant used the least. And if you’ve been playing along, you know I […]
Red clover – Trifolium pratense
If you know any words in our local language (Anishinaabemowin) for Red clover, please comment! My favorite folk name for red clover is honey/honey-stalks, but it isn’t just honey bees that like this honey. Mammals like opossum, snowshoe hare, eastern chipmunk, raccoon, striped skunk, and white-tailed deer are buzzing about it. And birds like ring-necked […]
Jewelweed – Impatiens capensis
If you know any words in our local language (Anishinaabemowin) for Jewelweed, please comment! Jewelweed is so named because of the way the dew beads on it. Sometimes its called Wild Touch-me-not and Snapweed, due to the ripe seedpods exploding when touched. Edible Uses The young shoots are edible, but should be double boiled as […]