Medicinal Monday...Twin Leaf - A President's Flower

Jeffersonia is a genus in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) with a single species in North America (and one other in Japan) named after Thomas Jefferson, who grew this plant in his gardens at Monticello. Jeffersonia diphylla is native to moist deciduous forests of eastern North America from Minnesota and Iowa east to Ontario, Canada, and New York and south to Alabama and Georgia. Jeffersonia diphylla is also known as Twin Leaf.

About Twin Leave

Twin Leaf is known as an ephemeral herbaceous perennial because of the way it grows. The first stage of growth is in the spring when the plant emerges and quickly fades away, dying back to its underground parts after a short growth and reproduction phase. When it emerges in the spring, both leaves and flowers are produced from the rhizome on long, smooth purplish stems. 

The wavy-edged leaves are blue-green and have two large deeply divided symmetrical lobes that resemble the wings of a butterfly. These twin leaves give this plant its name. The plant is about eight inches tall when the flowers appear and grow up to 18 inches tall forming a mound of foliage that disappears in early summer for the rest of the year. The cup-shaped flowers have with four sepals, eight petals, and eight yellow stamens. The flowers are short-lived and the leathery pear-shaped capsules that follow them have oblong shiny brown seeds. In its natural habitat Twin Leaf grows under deciduous trees in moist, well-drained soil.

Medicinal Uses

Native Americans used the root of Twin Leaf as a tea for cramps, spasms, diarrhea, urinary infections and as a gargle for sore throats. Externally, the leaves were used as a wash for sores, ulcers, inflammation, and rheumatism. Specifically, records indicate that the Cherokee made a poultice from the roots and used it to treat sores, ulcers, and inflamed joints. They also made an infusion and used it to treat urinary problems and dropsy. The Iroquois made a decoction of the entire plant and gave it to adults and children to treat diarrhea. They also used it as a liver aid.

Did You Know...

Ants often disperse the seeds of the Twin Leaf plant.

William Bartram named this plant genus in honor of his friend, Thomas Jefferson, who was then Secretary of State under President George Washington.

This plant can be found in the gardens of Monticello and blooms in the spring around the time of Jefferson's birthday.

The flowers of the bloodroot plant and twin leaf are almost identical.

Twin root in its natural habitat is considered endangered.

In 2009, a rare species of lichen, Caloplaca obamae was named after President Obama.

Medicinal Monday... Winged Buckwheat

Despite its name, Winged Buckwheat is not a type of wheat. As a matter of fact, it isn't even a grain! Winged Buckwheat is a seed that is related to rhubarb whose kernels look similar to grains. Native American communities found a culinary as well as medicinal use for this nutritional plant.

About Winged Buckwheat

Eriogonum alatum is a species of buckwheat that is native to Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Winged Buckwheat is in the Polygonaceae family. They grow in dry, sandy soil, in desert scrublands, grasslands, and in mixed conifer forests and pinyon-juniper- oak woodlands. Winged buckwheat has a single stem that can grow up to five feet tall. It has hairy side branches with basal leaves that alternate on the stem. This stem grows from a basal rosette base made up of hairy leaves that gradually bend into the base. The plant has small lemon-yellow flowers with six pointed petals that extend out from the stem. The flowers bloom from June through October. As the season progresses, they develop yellow-greenish seeds that have three wings. When they mature, the seeds are reddish brown and bloom on the stem in clusters.

Medicinal, Culinary, and Ceremonial Uses

Many Native American communities living in the Great Plains and the American Southwest ate the root of this plant raw or would dry it to save it for later use. The seed was often ground into a powder and made into a mush. Medicinally, the Navajo found many uses for this plant. They made a salve from the roots and used it to treat a rash, they also used a cold infusion of the root to treat diarrhea, bad coughs, and sore gums.  Powdered root was mixed with tallow and used as an ointment for an infant's sore navel. The Zuni ate the root as an emetic for stomaches and used an infusion of powered root to relieve aches and pains after a fall. Ceremonially, the Navajo, Ramah used the plant in the Knife Chant and in ceremonies as a life medicine. 

Did You Know...

The Eriogonum genus was named by botanist, Andre Michaux in 1803 in his book, Flora Boreali-Americana.  It was renamed Eriogonum alatum in 1853 by John Torrey where it is the accepted name of the plant in all states except Colorado where it is known as Pterogonum alatum.

The Pter name in Greek means winged. The Ogonum refers to the Eriogonum genus. Alatum is Latin for winged. Erio is the Greek word for wool and gono for knee, referring to the wooly leaves of this plant.

Medicinal Monday - Table Mountain Pine

If you happen to be out hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, you may come across a small pine tree, known as the Table Mountain Pine with amazingly spikey pine cones that look as though they might hurt if you touch them the wrong way. Table Mountain Pine trees have a relatively small range and Native American communities found medicinal and practical uses for this small, and sometimes irregularly shaped tree.

About Table Mountain Pine 

This tree grows on dry, rocky sites that are inhospitable to most other trees, and because of this, it is often found growing alone. This tree needs plenty of sun and doesn't grow well in dense forests. It grows predominately in the Appalachian Mountain chain from Georgia to Pennsylvania. It can grow up to 40 feet tall at maturity and has many branches that grow on more than half of the tree. The bark ranges from reddish brown to gray and has scaly plates. The needles of this tree range from yellow to green they are twisted and grow in groups of two. The needles have a lemon scent when bruised. The most distinguishing feature of this tree is the dense, green-yellow cones that have a large, hooked spine on them. The cones of this tree can withstand a lot of heat and will open up and spread seed following a forest fire. Table Mountain Pine seeds stay viable for up to ten years. This tree requires fire to spread.

Medicinal and Practical Uses

Like all pines, turpentine can be distilled from resin and used to treat a variety of ailments such as coughing, bronchitis, and common colds. Skin problems such as sores and wounds were treated with poultices and salves. The Cherokee made a decoction that included the cone of this plant and gave it to pregnant women because it is thought to represent a long life. Many Native American communities also used the wood of the table mountain pine for lumber and to make thirty to forty-foot canoes. The resin when heated can also be used for waterproofing wood. In addition, pine seeds,  regardless of the species are edible. 

Did You Know...

This tree was first identified in 1794 on Table Rock Mountain in North Carolina, where it got its name.

Despite its small size, this tree can live up to 300 years. The oldest known tree is 227 years old and can be found in North Carolina.

Red squirrels chew through the thick cones to eat the pine seeds inside.

The Latin name of this tree is Pinus pungens refers to the large spines on the cone of this tree. 

Table Mountain pine is also called hickory pine, mountain pine, or prickly pine.

Jewelry Workshop Just in Time for Valentine’s Day @Institute for American Indian Studies

 

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Instead of giving a box of candy or a bouquet of flowers to that someone special, this year think out of the box and give them a piece of jewelry that you have made yourself. The Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting a Jewelry Making Workshop on Sunday, January 29 beginning at 1 p.m. just in time for Valentine’s Day! 

At this fun and creative workshop, participants will learn how Native American communities across the country have used materials such as stones, shells, bone, clay, seeds, multicolored beads, and even porcupine quills to make jewelry. 

This Sunday Funday workshop provides participants of all ages with an exciting opportunity to learn a new creative outlet. The Institute’s Educational staff will be on hand to help participants decorate their very own piece of jewelry. Participants will combine traditional items from nature and multi-colored beads into a piece of jewelry that is one-of-a-kind, and more importantly, their own creation. A highlight of this workshop is to create a piece of jewelry using different colors and textures that are sure to dazzle! 

Space for this workshop is limited and pre-registration is required. To register visit our website or click here, call 860-868-0518 or email us at events@iaismuseum.org. The price of participation is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Sunday Funday - January 15 - For the Love of Turtles & More

Sunday is everyone’s favorite day to relax, and one way to do that is to have something special to do. The Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut makes Sundays a fun day throughout the year with engaging programs and workshops. From working with beads and playing Native American games like snow snakes to making a cornhusk doll and listening to stories, there’s something fun to do no matter the weather. 

On January 15, the Institute is offering an in-person Sunday Fun Day workshop, The Teachings of Turtles at 1 p.m. that is perfect for children that love animals and want to know why turtles are important. At this workshop, kids will be encouraged to express their creativity by learning about the world that surrounds them and connecting to Native American culture that offers thousands of years of history right in their own backyard. 

The January 15 workshop will focus on the “teachings of turtles” that will be told through fascinating traditional Native American stories whose main character is the turtle, of course! After the Native American stories, Susan Scherf, Museum Educator, and Ecologist will talk about how turtles have adapted and survived through time. A highlight of the workshop is the craft session where children will create and take home their Native American-inspired work of art that looks like a turtle. 

This family-friendly event is open to children of all ages. Pre-registration is encouraged as space is limited and can be reserved by visiting the website and registering on Eventbrite, by calling 860-868-0518, or by emailing events@iaismuseum.org. The cost of participation is $10 for members of the Institute and, $20 for non-members. 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Medicinal Monday - the Unfern- like Fern

The American Walking fern gets its unusual name from the way it grows. It spreads by growing new plants from its leaf tips, and because of this, growth pattern, it seems to walk across the surface of the earth. Although many Native American communities may have used this fern medicinally, it is a documented favorite of the Cherokee. This plant can be found in Connecticut.

About American Walking Fern

The American Walking Fern has long narrow evergreen leaf tips. It is different from all other ferns because its leaves often turn back on themselves and root. The leaves are not sub-divided like most other ferns and are narrow and lance-shaped. Sori or spores are numerous on the underside of the leaves, they are initially yellow and then, turn brown as they mature.  The stalk of the walking fern is reddish brown at the base and turns green above the base.  It grows up to a foot high and has a six-inch spread across the ground. It prefers medium shade and can be found in thin rocky soil. It spreads by developing new shoots from the tips of fronds where they touch the ground. It does not spread and form new plants from its roots.

Medicinal Uses

The only documented Native American use for this plant is from the Cherokee. They make a compound of this fern to help reduce breast swelling. They also make a decoction of the plant and rub it on swollen breasts. The decoction of the entire plant was also taken to induce vomiting to reduce swollen breasts.

Did You Know...

The genus of this plant is Spleenworts, which sounds like it came out of a Harry Potter movie! The botanical name of this fern is Asplenium rhizophyllum.

The name rhizophyllum means root leaf reflecting its ability to root from the tip of the frond.

It is a close relative of Asplenium ruprechtii that grows in East Asia.

This fern is endangered in Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. In Maine, the last documented record of this plant is from a ledge in Readfield, Maine last seen in 1932.

Medicinal Monday...Black Haw

Black Haw is used extensively by Native Americans as a source of food as well as a source of medicine. This plant was introduced to European colonists by Native American communities and was used extensively to treat gynecological problems. Black Haw was added to the published pharmacopeia in 1882 and was listed there until 1926.

About Black Haw

The Latin name of this shrub is Viburnum prunifolium and it is native to the woodlands of southern North America including Connecticut. It is part of the honeysuckle family. In the spring, new copper-colored leaves emerge that eventually turn green. This deciduous shrub can grow up to 30 feet tall and has small white flowers that grow in clusters and bloom in April, May, and June. The flowers are followed by yellow berries that turn blue-black in the winter. The berries are called haws. The branches of this shrub are red at first then green and finally brown tinged with red. The dark green leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall. It grows in moist woods, thickets, and along stream banks.

Medicinal & Culinary Uses

Many Native American communities ate the fruit raw, put them in soups and stews, or cooked them into jam. Medicinally, many Native American communities made a decoction of the bark of black haw to treat menstrual cramps, the effects of menopause, and as an aid in childbirth. Its most common use is as a muscle relaxant, as a uterine tonic, and for pain because of its analgesic action. 

Black Haw contains salicin, a chemical relative to aspirin. Some Native American communities have specific uses for this shrub. The Cherokee for example took an infusion to prevent recurrent spasms and used the root bark to produce sweat. They also made a compound infusion and used it to treat smallpox, ague, and fever. The bark of the root was made into a tonic for general health and an infusion of the bark was used to treat sore tongues. The Delaware of Oklahoma combined the root of Balck Haw with the leaves of other plants and drank it as a tea to strengthen female organs. The Micmac drank an infusion as an aid to childbirth. 

Did You Know...

Other names for this plant are Cramp Bark, Nanny Bush, Southern Sweet Haw, Smooth Blackhaw, and Stag Bush. 

The fruit of Black Haw is eaten by songbirds, gamebirds, and mammals.

The flowers of this shrub are recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting a large number of bees.

Black Haw should be used with caution in people with a history of kidney stones because this shrub contains oxalic acid.

Black Haw was commonly used by owners of enslaved people to prevent abortion. In defiance, some enslaved women would take cotton seeds to cause a miscarriage.