Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians / by Huron H. Smith.

1928]

SMITH, ETHNOBOTANY OF THE MESKWAKI.

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scandens called "kiwipy~ihi" [crawling vine] and is used to mix with
the root of Arctium minus and an unidentified Umbellifer for the relief
of women in labor.
Wahoo (Evonymus atropurpureus Jacq.) "meniskikwi'mishi" or
"meniskikwe'mishi" [weak eyes and "tree"] (M). This tree is quite
valuable to the Meskwaki for their eye troubles and is thus known by
that name, "weak-eye tree." The inner bark of the trunk is steeped
for a solution with which to bathe weak or sore eyes. For old facial
sores, the fresh trunk bark is pounded for a poultice. A tea made from
the root bark is said to be especially powerful in correcting sore eyes.
Specimen 5073 of the Dr. Jones collection is the bark of Evonymus
atropurpureus and is called "micumici." It is boiled and when the
solution cools it is used as a wash for sore eyes.
White men gather both the stem bark and the root bark, the root
bark being known as Brown Euonymin and the stem bark as Green
Euonymin. Only the former is recognized in use by the white man.
It is said to act as a direct stimulant to the liver, increasing the flow of
bile. It is a very unstable drug, acting at times as a mild laxative and
at others as a drastic purgative.
CHENOPODIACEAE (GOOSEFOOT FAMILY)
Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album L.), "tcakfi'ski" [stickers]
(M). Although the present day Meskwaki have a name for this plant
they did not know of any use, except as a food.
Specimen 5096 of Dr. Jones' collection is the root of Chenopodium
album called "askipwawis aipisane kwiyawigi" and the tea made from
it is used for allaying itching at the place of the passage of urine.
Maple-leaved Goosefoot (Chenopodium hybridum L.), "tcibi'fik"
(M). McIntosh said that it is not used and he had no name for it.
The Meskwaki had a name for it but did not know of any use.
COMMELINACEAE (SPIDERWORT FAMILY)
Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis (Britton) Smyth),
"mkosike'shikeki" (M), "pfikwoskflk sakii'sekfik" (P P). The root
tea of this plant is used as a urinary by the Meskwaki and by McIntosh.
There was a further peculiar use related in McIntosh's remedy number
20. The root yields a gum that is supposed to stop insanity. The head