Skaru:re?
(Sweet Flag, Acorus Calamus) Urahú?ta? is a native plant to
Turtle Island, especially many areas in Haudenosaunee Country.
It can be found growing in the edge of ponds, swamps, stream banks
and wet fields. This strongly
aromatic perennial can grow up to 4 feet high with sword like leaves that
are similar to cattails, but have a vertical midrib.
The roots of sweet flag are dried for tea or can be chewed.
It can be used for gas, indigestion, heartburn, fever, coughs and
toothaches.
Utuha?stha oo doo ha' sta'
(Trillium, Trillium Erectum) Utuhá?stha? or Trillium can be found in many areas throughout Tuscarora. The Tuscarora translation for utuhá?stha? is soap, coming from the root word tuha?st "put in water-ness", it is also known as wakerobin or bethroot. Trillium Grows to 7 - 16 inches on a slender stalk with leaves that are triangular-oval in a single whorl. The flowers are dull reds to white and bloom from April - June. The plant grows in wooded areas of Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec to Pennsylvania. Trillium has a broad array of uses from menstrual disorders, coughs, bowel troubles, snakebites plus many other symptoms. This is a beautiful plant and if you ever see it while walking the woods, do not step on it.
(Water Lily, Nymhaeacea sp.)
Ruhs'ehkfhre
or Water lilies can be found
in ponds and slow moving waters and they are very popular in man-made
ponds. The aquatic perennial
is a large round floating leaf. Connected
to the leaf is an attractive white flower that has numerous petals
diminishing in size until it reaches the center.
From June to September you can notice a sweet fragrance from the
water lily. Because it grows
directly in the water one might think it wouldn’t have any medicinal
uses, but the root is used for coughs, TB, inflamed glands, and mouth
sores. There is a warning that
large doses may be toxic.
Ruhs'ehkfhre rooh sehk fren
Neyuhkaru?ne?
neh yooh ga rooth' neh'
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