English
Wild Onion
Latin
Allium stellatum
Anishinaabemowin
bagwaji-zhi/agaagawinzh, -iig (Rhodes: bgoji
zhgaagwinzh, bgwaji-zhgaagwinzh)
mashkode-zhi/agaagawanzh, -iig (Densmore:
muckode 'cigaga 'wunj)
zhgaagwinzh, bgwaji-zhgaagwinzh)
mashkode-zhi/agaagawanzh, -iig (Densmore:
muckode 'cigaga 'wunj)
Physical Description
As its common name suggests, this plant has a bulb that smells and tastes of onion. The leaves are grass-like, and the lavender 6-pointed flowers are in a showy, rounded cluster about 1 to 2 feet tall. Wild onion is usually found on rocky or sandy ground. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker)
Uses & Preparation
A sweetened decoction of the root was traditionally used for colds, especially in children. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker)
Sources
Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993