Chenopodium album -L.-
goosefoot, lamb's quarters


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Chenopodium album -L.-

Common Name: goosefoot, lamb's quarters

Myaamia Name: waapinkopakahki

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Winter

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Food

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

 "It was used as a spring tonic for cleansing the body. The young leaves of poke, curly dock and lamb's quarters were gathered near my house, mixed together and cooked with vinegar".

Comments: N/A

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Greens collected and eaten. Seeds collected and made into flour, cut in half with wheat flour.

 

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"wapĭ′ngopakákĭ", "lamb's quarters"

Comments: N/A

Bush, L. L 1996

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Charred remains of Chenopodium spp. were found at a Myaamia Village (Fort Wayne), 1795-1812 (Ehler Site).

Comments: N/A

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

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Native to tropical America, occurring as a weed in disturbed areas throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Coulter, S. 1932

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

A volative oil distilled from fresh aboveground portions of the flowering and fruiting plant of Chenopodium ambrosioides var. anthelminticum, in small doses (1cc) has been used to treat roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworms. In general, it increases cardiac rate, promotes secretions of bronchial tubes and kidneys, and has also been used to treat hysteria.

Comments: N/A

McPherson, A. and S. McPherson. 1977

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"It is believed that prior to introduction of corn prehistoric Indians in Indiana cultivated lamb's quarters [Chenopodium sp.] as a green for its seeds. It is high in vitamins A and C and an excellent source of calcium".

Comments: N/A

Bush L. L. 2003

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Archaeological studies have demonstrated that goosefoot was either cultivated or "strongly encouraged in wild stands" for consumption of seeds by Late Woodland (prior to 700 A.D. through approximately 1450 A.D.) indigenous peoples of central and southern Indiana.

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.