Pitcher Plant

pitcher plant, frog leggings, Indian Cut Root (Mi'kmaq, Lacey), Frog pants (Cree, Willier)

Sarracenia purpurea

Omakikiiwidaasan; ayikitas, athikacas, askihkosihk (Cree)

A very unique species found almost exclusively in sphagnum bogs. The odd single, red flower of pitcher plant grows on a leafless stem and the leaves are modified into a water containing 'pitcher'. These pitchers trap unsuspecting insects: they are then digested in the pitcher and nutrients are absorbed by the plant as an adaptation to their nutrient poor environment. (Plants used

Pitcher plants were reportedly used as toys for children, and know as frog leggings. (Plants used

Used in combinations for menstrual problems, coughing, back problems due to the kidneys, and to increase urine flow. Cree healers used it for respiratory and heart ailments, often in combinations. The root was decocted and given to a woman to prevent sickness after childbirth , and combined with other plants in decoction to expel afterbirth. Smallpox, carried from Europe, caused widespread epidemic among previously unexposed Native populations. With no natural immunity, the death rate was extremely high. Pitcher plant was used to treat smallpox. Also has positive effect on diabetic neuropathy and neuralgia. The fresh plant contains histamine, which is anti-inflammatory, a vasodilator and a bronchoconstrictorUsed topically to relieve chillblains. (A Cree Healer

Used to treat tuberculosis in early part of 20th century. Root is believed to be effective in treating kidney ailments. It was also used to treat indigestion. Simmer one half-inch of dried root in a cup of water for fifteen minutes. Take two to three tablespoons as a single does. (Mi'kmaq medicines

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

(A Cree Healer

(Mi'kmaq medicines