Ceanothus americanus -L.-
redroot


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Ceanothus americanus -L.-

Common Name: redroot

Myaamia Name: niihpikicikaahkwi

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Dry Prairie grasslands

Uses: Medicinal, Customs

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Burns, N.L. 1938

Reference Type: Use - Customs

Archival Data:

A traditional story recounts some Peorias that wanted to scare off a white family looking for a house to lease. "Before the time for their [the white family] return he gathered up turkey feathers and made a large head-dress, smeared his face with red paint from redroot and some yellow clay, dressed himself in some old beaded clothing and, armed with a huge tomahawk, waited for them by the side of the road, concealed in some bushes. When they were even with him he sprang to the road with a wild yell, brandishing his tomahawk. The family left as fast as their horses would travel and never returned and Uncle John never tired of laughing over his "Wild Indian Stunt."

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

Given by Dunn as nipĭ́kĭtcĭkákwĭ, from George Finley. Dunn says “a medicinal plant, a small bush like a huckleberry, that grows on the prairies, and has a short thick red root, from which they make a tea. ‘It is good to break any disease’”.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

A small bush similar to the huckleberry which grows on the prairies and has a short, thick, red root.  

Comments: N/A

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Ceanothus americanus, sometimes called New Jersey tea, or redroot; or C. herbaceus, called prairie redroot, were probably both indicated by neehpikiccikaahkwi, both growing in prairies throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Steyermark, J.A. 1963

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

A tea was made from the leaves during the American Revolution. No caffeine is found in the leaves, but the root was once used as an expectorant and astringent, and the root bark has been found to have many blood-clotting properties.

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.