English
Creeping Snowberry
Latin
Gaultheria hispidula
Anishinaabemowin
waaboozobagoons (Densmore: wabos 'obugons ')
waaboozobanzh
waaboozobanzh
Physical Description
This evergreen plant forms ground-trailing mats in mossy wet forests and bogs, over mosscovered rocks, and on decaying logs and stumps. The flowers are tiny white bells that are few in number, and are hidden under the small, alternate, oval leaves. The fruit is a white berry, tasting like wintergreen.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Uses & Preparation
Traditionally creeping snowberry was used to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from cuts and burns to tapeworms and venereal diseases. The fresh leaves of this plant were used in teas, and the berries eaten raw or cooked.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Sources
Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993