Oxalis spp. -L.-
sorrel, wood-sorrel


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Oxalis spp. -L.-

Common Name: sorrel, wood-sorrel

Myaamia Name: wiihkapeepiikwi

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Oak Forest including Oak-Hickory, Beech-Oak-Maple Mixed Mesophytic, Dry Prairie grasslands, Wet Prairie grasslands with flooding, Conifer Shrubland and Forest, Human-Disturbed Areas

Uses: Food

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Stems and leaves eaten while hunting to keep hunger at bay.

Comments: N/A

Small, J.K. 1903

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data :

Oxalis acetosella is the only Oxalis species mentioned in Small (1903), yet there are five other Oxalis species that were present in Myaamia lands around the turn of the last century.

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

A number of species in the Oxalis genus occur in Myaamia lands, some in eastern (i.e. O. grandis, O. illinoensis), some in western (e.g. O. albicans), some in both (i.e. O. corniculata, O. stricta). These species occur in various habitats, often moist, and often as a weed. Most Oxalis species in Myaamia lands are native, although there are several non-native species found throughout North America and Canada. The most common native Oxalis in Myaamia lands is Oxalis stricta, common yellow oxalis. 

Comments: N/A

Gravier, J. ca. 1700

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Gravier says that the word wiihkapepikwi 'salt' can also mean 'oseille sauvage', which Carl Masthay translates as 'wild sorrel'.

Comments: N/A

Bush, L. L 1996

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Human charred remains of Oxalis sp. were recovered at an early Myaamia Village Site at the forks of the Wabash River (Fort Wayne), 1795-1812 (Ehler Site).

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"wikapipikwi . . . a weed called sheep-sour, leaves like clover, white people make pies of it".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"wikápäpíkwi, sheep sorrel"

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.