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 […]
Tag Archives: Digestive
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 […]
Common mullein – Verbascum thapsus
In Anishinaabemowin, mullein is sometimes calledWaabooyaanibag (blanket leaf) Mullein’s folk names include but are not limited to flannel leaf (leaves stuffed in shoes for warmth), tinder plant/torches/torch-wort, candle wick (dried stems used to be dipped in wax to make candles), cow’s lungwort. It’s been called tobacco going off the physical resemblance. Wearing it is said […]
Common dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
In Chippewa, Dado’cabodji’bik meaning dadocabo (liquid or milk) odjibik (root) Dandelion’s folk names include but are not limited to blowball, lion’s tooth (leaf appearance), priest’s crown, milk witch, wild endive, piss-a-bed (diuretic effect) and canker-wort. Among many folk magic uses an infusion of dandelion is said to promote psychic powers. Edible Uses Dandelion, being so […]