About Water Pepper
This plant is usually found in the shallow water of ponds and in wetland areas. It prefers a wet mucky soil rich in organic material. This summer annual grows to almost two feet high. Its stem is hairless and can be red or green in color. The leaves are smooth, hairless, and often olive-green in color with a base and membranous sheath that wraps around the stem. The upper stems have spike-like racemes of flowers that range from two to three inches long. Racemes are characterized by a flower cluster with separate flowers attached by short equal stalks at equal distances along a central stem (think Lily of the Valley). The flowers are greenish-white and consist of sepals with stamens but have no petals. The plant flowers from July through September. The flowers are replaced by black or dark brown seeds and spreads by reseeding themselves.
Medicinal Uses
The Cherokee use this plant to treat painful urination in adults by making an infusion of this plant mixed with meal. Another medicinal use is to treat pain, inflammation, and swelling by making a poultice of the entire plant mixed with meal. An infusion of the root is given to children to treat diarrhea, and the leaves of this plant are rubbed on a child's thumbs to stop thumbsucking! The Cherokee also use this plant to poison fish. Known for its analgesic qualities, the Iroquois make a poultice of wet leaves and apply them to the forehead to treat headaches. A decoction is used to treat colds and coughs as well as children with swollen stomachs. The Malecite use an infusion of dried leaves to treat dropsy.
Did You Know...
This plant species is hermaphrodite because it has both male and female parts.
The leaves of water pepper contain rutin that helps to strengthen fragile capillaries that helps prevent bleeding.
This plant is cultivated in Japan for its edible leaves.
In Chinese texts, this plant was ranked 20th in a survey of 250 potential antifertility drugs.
There have been reports that some members of this family can cause photosensitivity in people that are susceptible to this condition.
This plant contains oxalic acid in its leaves and has a lemony flavor similar to Sorrell.
About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)
Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and Wigwam Escape and a Museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut.
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