Carrion Flower

Carrion Flower

Smilax herbacea

ginebigominagaawanzh (Smith: gine' bigominaga 'wunj; Zichmanis & Hodgins: ginebigominagawuhnsh)
makojiihik (Densmore: ma 'kodji 'bic)

Carrion flower is a climbing plant that can grow to be 7 feet tall. It has tendrils, but unlike other related species it has no prickles on the stems. In May and June the numerous, greenish flowers bloom, with more than 20 flowers in a rounded cluster. The plant gets its name from the carrion­like smell of the flowers. The fruits are blue berries, with a waxy bloom. The alternate leaves are broadly oval, with parallel veins. Growing in moist to dry woods, along fence rows, in thickets, or on low ground, carrion flower is relatively rare in Wisconsin.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Native American medical practices found many uses for the roots of this plant. A compound decoction was used as a physic, a simple decoction was used to treat kidney problems and back pain, and the root was used for lung problems.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993